Getting Ready to Begin Round 1 - Questions!

[mommy2boysaz]

I've been scouring this forum and have read so much wonderful information!
And, I read Dr. Simeon's original plan, although I want to go through it again and read the specifics of the diet plan. Could someone share the link with me again? Shelbyla already did once, but now I can't find it!

A few questions:

-What are your opinions about how long to do the first round? I need to lose 40-50 pounds altogether... I confess that I have a history of not sticking with any "diet" for more than 3-4 weeks without falling off the wagon and having to start over again. Guess that's partly how I got in this position!

-Just so I have the timing of this straight: I am to load for 2 days (while taking the pellets), then begin the low cal diet for "x" days (21 is the shortest round?), then stop the pellets and continue the low cal diet for 2 more days before going to P3. Correct?
I'm also trying to plan this out so it doesn't coincide with our family trip, which is the beginning of August...

-I will likely go through my TOM during this round... Continue the protocol as usual during this time? I think I read somewhere that you should stop the HCG during this time, but somewhere else it said to continue it.

I'm excited about this, but very nervous too. I've had so many failures in the past and am now at my highest weight ever (aside from pregnancy). But, reading all the amazing success stories on this site does have me hopeful. I am grateful to have all of you to go through this journey with!

Thank you for any advice you can offer! I don't want to officially begin until I am stocked up on all the proper foods and have a well defined meal plan ready to go!

[C'Marie]

It sounds like you have it right! If you are doing the pellets (homeopathic) you do NOT need to stop dosing during your TOM. With 40-50 pounds to lose it sounds to me like you should do two 30-40 day rounds with a 6 week break in the middle, during your trip. Just calendar out the days so you stop and are on P3 or P4 on your trip. If you're completely comfortable LC, then P3 is no problem for a trip. If you're likely to "cheat" while on your trip, then you should be on P4 at that time.

WELCOME and good luck! Oh wait, you don't need luck! You have a PLAN!

[mommy2boysaz]

Thanks so much, C'Marie! That helps a lot. I definitely need to go back and read Dr. Simeon's work again, though, because I don't even recall what P4 is!

One other question to add to my list, do you all follow the guidelines about body soaps, lotions, makeup, etc? Again, I know I need to read up a bit more on this part. I don't recall the science behind this guideline. If it truly makes a difference, I'm willing to make the changes necessary.
Tentatively planning to begin loading tomorrow!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by mommy2boysaz

Thanks so much, C'Marie! That helps a lot. I definitely need to go back and read Dr. Simeon's work again, though, because I don't even recall what P4 is!

One other question to add to my list, do you all follow the guidelines about body soaps, lotions, makeup, etc? Again, I know I need to read up a bit more on this part. I don't recall the science behind this guideline. If it truly makes a difference, I'm willing to make the changes necessary.
Tentatively planning to begin loading tomorrow!

I change out EVERYTHING when I am on P2. I want to get the most bang for my buck and don't want my shampoo to cause me issues!! So no oils for me, and it is easier these days because they make so many things oil free these days. I buy cinnamon toothpaste because with homeopathic mint can counteract with the hcg making it ineffective. I use my regular deodorant though. Mineral oil (Johnson & Johnson's baby oil) is great right after the shower!

Some people do poo-poo the idea of NOT switching out shampoos, soap and the like, but I figure that if I want the most weight loss possible I am going to follow the rules. Following protocol is what works best. That is why I don't do turkey, broccoli or blueberries on plan either. I find that the foods that Simeon's puts on his list give the most losses. Best of luck to you!! I will most likely be right behind you on this round. I am going to start this weekend too

[shelbyla]

mommy2boy--look at the stickies at the top of this forum. That's where are all the links are including the short form and the recipe thread.

[mommy2boysaz]

Still didn't find a link to the full manuscript, but I think I got all my answers on the short form thread. (The link to the manuscript on the recipe thread didn't work.)

Thanks so much for the info, ladies! I'm getting the tape measure and camera out tonight.
And ready to start officially "loading" tomorrow, although the way I've been eating this week, I could probably consider it a loading week!

Got some cinnamon toothpaste and some oil free moisturizer. Heading to stock up on the proper foods tomorrow.

Only other question I thought of was, do you typically take the hHCG in the AM, again before lunch and again before dinner? I know you have to wait the 15 min before and after to have anything, just wasn't sure if the timing mattered much?

Thanks again!

[misslatte]

Welcome!

I space out my pellets - 6ish am, 2pm and 10pm. Seems to work for me!

[mommy2boysaz]

Wow, misslatte! Your stats are amazing! All from the hcg protocol??
Thanks for the answer to my question.
I just so want to do this right, from the start. I don't want to go through all this only to find out it didn't work as well as it should've because I missed some tiny detail of the plan and messed it all up!
Taking my first pellets in the am!

[chesapeakers]

Hi mommy2boysaz-Just wanted wish you great success with your first round of hcg!

I am right behind you, I started my first hcg round ever on 6/19, and was really nervous too. I was not sure what to think, but could not ignore all the success stories either. I'm finding it very easy to follow as stay motivated, and almost everything they say happens, has so far. What I've learned in my few days experience so far:
Don't be afraid to load.
Make sure you have all your supplies on hand when you start VLCD's. You don't want to be scrambling for something to eat and be tempted to just grab whatever is convenient, that might have hidden fat, too many calories, etc.

Good luck!!!!!!!

[mommy2boysaz]

Thank you for the insight, chesaeakers! This is my second load day. I'm up a little less than a pound from my first load day. It has not exactly been hard for me to load because my eating has been very bad for a couple of weeks. So, I'm pretty much just eating the way I have been, except with slightly less guilt...

I went to the store yesterday to stock up on the food I'll need starting tomorrow, and then got an urgent call to go in to work, so only got half of what I needed. Guess that means another trip to the store today.
That does lead to one more question: For the melba toast, all I could find at my store are Melba Snacks, which are just smaller versions, I think. It says 4 pcs is a 15 g serving. Should I eat a full serving?
Thank you all for the encouragement! Already I think this forum will be invaluble!

[dawnyama]

Eat 20 calories worth for a serving. I think that may be 2. But I could be wrong. It has been a long time since I had those snacks.

[dawnyama]

Today is MY first load day for this round. I am about to explode, even though I feel I didn't eat much. It is incredible how much you don't feel like eating on the load days. Then when the very low calorie days (VLCDs) start you want to eat all the time LOL. Oh well. I think I will miss my coffee. But I have a lot of tea to get me through.

[manders]

I did my first proper load on Thursday and Friday. I thought I was going to die. I actually got sick because I ate so much. When I do my third round loading days, I think I will definitely eat less. I really went for it haha

[mommy2boysaz]

I am getting ready for bed on my 2nd loading day. A little worried that I may not have done the load as well as I intended... I have read some others' posts about not being able to eat much on loading days, blah, blah, blah. And I thought, "Yeah, right. I know I won't have any problem with that!!" I can NOT believe how little I desired to eat today! It's downright strange! I just hope and pray I feel this way tomorrow! I measured out 100g of low fat cottage cheese, 100 g of raw tomato, and 1 apple for lunch tomorrow and it sure looks tiny...

Dawn, why do you not drink coffee? That is permitted on this protocol, correct? Because if not, that could be my deal breaker! I love, love, love my black coffee! I did buy some tea bags and green tea to make iced tea though. I am planning on going off my diet Pepsi cold-turkey. That may be my biggest obstacle. I am addicted to the stuff... But I do love iced tea, so I think I can do it. I was wondering, can you have the water flavorings like Crystal Light or those MiO drops? I've not tried those drops yet but thought they might be good for something different, if they are allowed.

[C'Marie]

Some people don't drink coffee on P2 because they cannot stand it without real cream, and real cream is not allowed on protocol. I use skim milk or 2% for my 1 tbls for one cup and then drink my other cups black. You do NOT have to give up coffee.

[manders]

I could not give up my coffee or my diet pepsi! I usually drink 2 americano's a day. I use stevia in both. yum!

[dawnyama]

Coffee is just ick without cream. I cannot stand black coffee. Yuck!!!!!

[mommy2boysaz]

Yay for black coffee!!
Day 1 of VLCD is going well so far...

[dawnyama]

Glad to hear that! No hunger then?