Atkins/Other Plans after HCG

[CherylB]

Hi, ladies. Just checking in with y'all over here so you don't forget me. I'm NoS'ing and it's a great plan that I can live with for the rest of my life. As far as I'm concerned, I'm done with diets. Slow and steady will win this race for me. I know I can take the weight off in a hurry. I also know I can pack it right back on even faster. Enough of that craziness for me!

It's gorgeous here today! Sunny, 75, low humidity and a gentle breeze. Ahhhhhh. My kind of weather (I should have been born and raised in LA.) It's an S day but so far I'm content to treat it as a regular day. I feel ya (Riley) about the beer. I'm on a definite beer kick lately. Wine is tricky and can leave you pretty sloshed when drinking it but beer is much harder to get wasted on. Plus it tastes great on a Summer day! I keep them in a cooler with lots of ice.

Well, I hope you are all having a great weekend and that you are feeling well in general. Catch you again later on.

[MsHistory]

@PAULA - I've been doing some reading into Rhodiola, and I keep seeing a lot of people who say it made them jittery or sleepless. Did you experience that? And did you see an improvement in your mood right away?

I'm going to try to pick up some chamomille today, but I have really been feeling off lately and I think I need something soon before this feeling of depression takes over any more of my life, sheesh. So weird, because I haven't felt like this since I was a teenager...

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

@PAULA - I've been doing some reading into Rhodiola, and I keep seeing a lot of people who say it made them jittery or sleepless. Did you experience that? And did you see an improvement in your mood right away?

I'm going to try to pick up some chamomille today, but I have really been feeling off lately and I think I need something soon before this feeling of depression takes over any more of my life, sheesh. So weird, because I haven't felt like this since I was a teenager...

No jitteriness at all, and no trouble sleeping. But then I began taking it for my chronic fatigue, to give my system a boost. Later I learned some of its other effects on mood. I took the whole herb as a tea, not an extract or pill. On the mood effect...I tend to notice a lift in about an hour. Note that if I'm already in a good mood, there's no change. But if I'm feeling a bit low, I will start to feel more normal. Generally I take about a teaspoon in tea...tablespoon if it's a real bad day. I tend to reheat and reuse the tea for a couple of times, just because I'm cheap and want to wring every ounce of goodness from it.

I hope if you use it that it will help. Herbs are funny, different effects on different people. But at least it's a fairly safe one, being traditional as a tea.

[MsHistory]

LIGHTBULB!....(after scouring the internet) Depression is a side effect of hcg. Son of a beach. It must be this new brand, because I never had this issue with the other brands?

Maybe I could take it with some type of mood elevator? Maybe I sound like a crazy person in denial because I don't want to give up the only thing that has worked for me...

[Nicole T]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

LIGHTBULB!....(after scouring the internet) Depression is a side effect of hcg. Son of a beach. It must be this new brand, because I never had this issue with the other brands?

Maybe I could take it with some type of mood elevator? Maybe I sound like a crazy person in denial because I don't want to give up the only thing that has worked for me...

I definitely noticed my moods turning sour while on HCG! I always just attributed it to being hungry and not being able to eat what I want LOL

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

LIGHTBULB!....(after scouring the internet) Depression is a side effect of hcg. Son of a beach. It must be this new brand, because I never had this issue with the other brands?

Maybe I could take it with some type of mood elevator? Maybe I sound like a crazy person in denial because I don't want to give up the only thing that has worked for me...

I never heard that before, but I would attribute the feelings of depression to being on such a restrictive diet plan. And any day you don't see the scale drop is enough to make you depressed!

If you aren't on any sort of prescription meds for mood, maybe try some St John's Wort. I know it can't be taken with certain types of antidepressants (interacts somehow) but I hear it helps a great deal for minor slumps.

I have to share this. I just got a reply letter from AAA life insurance. I filled out the application a week or so ago and mailed it in because after I turn 50 on the 1st, my rates were going to go up significantly. THEY DENIED ME!!! I can't understand it and I'm going to send in the letter requesting the reasons why. I am flabbergasted. I'm not in renal failure or anything. I don't have cancer, I don't smoke, etc. I'm rather PO'd. Now if I ever do find an insurance plan that will accept me, I'll be over 50 and the rates will be worse.

[minimonkey]

Chryl -- I'd be peeved too about the insurance -- I swear, insurance is one of the biggest rackets going these days -- grrr! Glad the No S plan is working for you, though -- that's terrific

Interesting about hcg and depression -- I got really moody too, but caloric restriction alone is enough to do that to me. I'm prone to depression anyhow, and have a lot of real stressors that I am facing -- but the hcg may have been a player in all that.

Speaking of depressing, I am up 1.2 today Might be the flax bread -- I love that stuff, but it doesn't love me, it seems. I rather expected a jump up from it -- that's happened before. (Doesn't help that I can't stop eating it!)

Might also be from TOM being in full swing, yet again. I really should get that business fully checked out -- I would in a minute , if I had a good doctor. I might at least have Kaiser run basic hormone panels and such, and screen for fibroids, cysts, and what not.... I don't have any faith in their testing for most things, but at least an abdominal scan would help rule things in or out. The constant hormonal flux can't be helping anything at all -- though I don't want to go the traditional hormonal route, at all.

On the diet front, I'm keeping it clean and very low carb today. Once TOM is over (if it ever is!) I'll consider what to do next.

I do suspect I'll have to work a bit to get this weight back off, sadly -- but I'll do what I have to do, within reason.

[TerriMM]

[QUOTE=MsHistory;15818018]LIGHTBULB!....(after scouring the internet) Depression is a side effect of hcg. Son of a beach. It must be this new brand, because I never had this issue with the other brands?QUOTE]

Hi Everyone!
WOW, I always attributed it to calorie/fat restriction too. There just might be something to that. Again, WOW!

This morning I was still in a flux as to what to do. HCG, Atkins, Fat Flush, etc. First thing I did was weight in. Big surprise, after having nuts and chocolate chips for a snack and a low carb quesadilla for dinner yesterday, I was down 1.6 (.20 below last Friday). So number one conclusion No S – low carb”ish” totally works for me for at least maintenance, maybe even weight loss. I was panicking because my clothes were getting tight and weight was heading up. Today aside from being down on the scale, my clothes feel better too. I just finished TOM, maybe that was having more of an effect than it typically does. Usually I have a harder time the week before. So I don’t know if I’m really going to change much this week and see how it goes. It’s seems like every time I start to move away from No S it draws me back. The lifestyle alone is just so great.

The other big consideration was exercise. I’m doing well and really starting to see some results. If I went with HCG (where the Siren’s were calling from) I’d have to quit and that’s just not a positive direction. So here I stay!

[minimonkey]

Whoohoo Terri!!! Glad about the drop! Whoohoo on the workouts, too

You know, exercise is the one thing really keeping me from even considering another round of p2 at the moment. You'd think I'd be sane enough never to even consider doing it again for ANY reason, right? But no, those diet sirens are powerful indeed!

I do know, however, that I can't sustain workouts on p2, and I am loving my workouts so much at the moment that I am unwilling to give them up.

I'm thinking my little scale ups and downs are probably TOM related, too -- that can really do a number on me.

I had my one last piece of flax bread this morning, and it is protein, fat, and veggies from here, for me.

I think if I eschew all the lc goodies, and just stick to the basics, I can probably start dropping lbs this way -- I can resume some of the goodies in maintenance -- but sadly, I now have about 17 lbs I need to shed before I hit that point.

This rebound was absolutely brutal

[minimonkey]

All this having been said, if I can't get the scale to go down any other way, I will do another round ... it'll be rogue enough to allow me to continue working out in some capacity, though, and I will up the calories a bit if I start feeling weak, cold, etc.

I hope it doesn't come to that -- but if I can't make it work any other way, I will do it. It does work to shed the weight, and I think I have a lot more sense of where I've gone wrong in maintenance-attempts past ... so I'm not totally ruling the idea out.

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I think if I eschew all the lc goodies, and just stick to the basics, I can probably start dropping lbs this way -- I can resume some of the goodies in maintenance -- but sadly, I now have about 17 lbs I need to shed before I hit that point.

This rebound was absolutely brutal

I'll be with you all the way Mini! Sadly, a year ago I was only 4 pounds heavier. In that year I was never able to reach goal. Hoping this is both our times to reach AND stay at goal...let's hope without resorting to desparate tricks!

[MsHistory]

Speaking of the sirens... a little part of me keeps saying "don't stop the hcg! you're doing so well, and you can quit as soon as just a FEW more pounds are gone..."

Ugh, I guess this means it's time to find another WOE, so sad. Outside of maintenance, it sounds like By the Book Low Carb has been the most successful?

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

All this having been said, if I can't get the scale to go down any other way, I will do another round ... it'll be rogue enough to allow me to continue working out in some capacity, though, and I will up the calories a bit if I start feeling weak, cold, etc.

I hope it doesn't come to that -- but if I can't make it work any other way, I will do it. It does work to shed the weight, and I think I have a lot more sense of where I've gone wrong in maintenance-attempts past ... so I'm not totally ruling the idea out.

Yep, yep, yep you're singing my song girl!

[GarnerMommyNC]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Whoohoo Terri!!! Glad about the drop! Whoohoo on the workouts, too

You know, exercise is the one thing really keeping me from even considering another round of p2 at the moment. You'd think I'd be sane enough never to even consider doing it again for ANY reason, right? But no, those diet sirens are powerful indeed!

I do know, however, that I can't sustain workouts on p2, and I am loving my workouts so much at the moment that I am unwilling to give them up.

I'm thinking my little scale ups and downs are probably TOM related, too -- that can really do a number on me.

I had my one last piece of flax bread this morning, and it is protein, fat, and veggies from here, for me.

I think if I eschew all the lc goodies, and just stick to the basics, I can probably start dropping lbs this way -- I can resume some of the goodies in maintenance -- but sadly, I now have about 17 lbs I need to shed before I hit that point.

This rebound was absolutely brutal

I totally feel the same Mini- I don't want to give up my workouts. I seem to have pretty good energy just doing atkins induction/OWL right now and jogging 5 days per week.. just weights 1 day and 1 day rest... feeling good. I am on vacation soon off to my HS 20th reunion where of course I will look very good.. amazing that the weight loss was the year prior to this reunion, so I would have went regardless.. but now I am super confident about it.. lol...

still those 10 lbs will nag me.. and will be going off the diet for beer drinking and will eat whatever i want the night of the reunion ( you know, to soak up the alcohol of course! lol)

[paulabob]

Fifth day at 127.4. Call me old reliable!

It was nice having a full calorie day - 1700 yesterday.

[Nicole T]

[quote=TerriMM;15818267]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

LIGHTBULB!....(after scouring the internet) Depression is a side effect of hcg. Son of a beach. It must be this new brand, because I never had this issue with the other brands?QUOTE]

Hi Everyone!
WOW, I always attributed it to calorie/fat restriction too. There just might be something to that. Again, WOW!

This morning I was still in a flux as to what to do. HCG, Atkins, Fat Flush, etc. First thing I did was weight in. Big surprise, after having nuts and chocolate chips for a snack and a low carb quesadilla for dinner yesterday, I was down 1.6 (.20 below last Friday). So number one conclusion No S – low carb”ish” totally works for me for at least maintenance, maybe even weight loss. I was panicking because my clothes were getting tight and weight was heading up. Today aside from being down on the scale, my clothes feel better too. I just finished TOM, maybe that was having more of an effect than it typically does. Usually I have a harder time the week before. So I don’t know if I’m really going to change much this week and see how it goes. It’s seems like every time I start to move away from No S it draws me back. The lifestyle alone is just so great.

The other big consideration was exercise. I’m doing well and really starting to see some results. If I went with HCG (where the Siren’s were calling from) I’d have to quit and that’s just not a positive direction. So here I stay!

Good for you!!! Question about the NoS--so on the weekends are you truly eating freely or are you still restricting somewhat what goes on your plate? I'm thinking if I did try the NoS, I'd probably allow myself 1 NoS meal a day on Saturdays and Sundays instead of 3 of them each day. I just can't see how I could lose, let alone maintain eating like that. I also know that I won't just be throwing whatever onto my plate during the week either--I'll still probably stick to Paleo or close to it since my body is very sensitive to carbs/sugars.

[minimonkey]

Howdy, everyone!

I didn't bother getting on the scale this morning -- TOM still very much here. Yesterday didn't end up being the clean day I hoped it would -- cravings got the better of me, so I ended up with more carbs than I should have (under 40, but still...) -- and the calories were high.

I'm going to be keeping things really, really clean for a while -- meat, veggies, a few berries -- no nuts, no dairy, cutting down on eggs, really paying attention to hunger levels. I'm shooting for some IF in the mix, too -- longer stretches without eating. We'll see how this does for me.

I really don't want to do another round, but I do want to drop this weight -- particularly the bloat! It's better than it was, but I am still pretty water-logged.

I'll give this a week or so, and if I am not seeing results, I'll consider another round.

I'm going to hit the gym for some more upper body work today I think --

My big challenge right now is finding a balance where I am eating enough to fuel the workouts, but still allowing myself to lose the extra lbs.

[minimonkey]

Paula -- glad you didn't gain after the full calorie day -- that seems like progress to me.

Intuitively, calorie cycling seems like a really good idea -- I found JUDDD too structured in that regard, but I do like the idea of staggering things. I don't think the constant calorie restriction is good for my body -- I think my metabolism really does get down regulated when I do it for too long -- so the intermittent higher calorie days seem like a good plan.

IFing appeals to me -- it allows for the calorie cycling without so much of a struggle. I can more easily do 24 hour fasts (say, dinner to dinner) a couple days a week, and clean eating the rest of the time.

[goddesslynne]

mini, take this with all the love in my heart: PLEASE, no more hhcg (or hcg)!! I know we're only acquainted here on the boards, but you're very dear to me, and I truly feel that you need to let your body find equilibrium and slowly release the weight. I really know how you feel, I HATE being this heavy, with all my pretty clothes mocking me from the closet. AND, not feeling 100% physically because of the extra weight. But, sometimes we have to trust the process, and receive healing and peace in lieu of instant gratification.

I know we can get where we want to be (perhaps more slowly) if we take a more conservative course. I think what you're doing now (super-clean, lower carb) is perfect, and I am also a big fan (if not effective user) of IF, and I think it can be super-healing for us.

Just think about it...

xoxo

[TerriMM]

[quote=Nicole T;15819445]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Good for you!!! Question about the NoS--so on the weekends are you truly eating freely or are you still restricting somewhat what goes on your plate? I'm thinking if I did try the NoS, I'd probably allow myself 1 NoS meal a day on Saturdays and Sundays instead of 3 of them each day. I just can't see how I could lose, let alone maintain eating like that. I also know that I won't just be throwing whatever onto my plate during the week either--I'll still probably stick to Paleo or close to it since my body is very sensitive to carbs/sugars.

Hi Nicole,
I just responded on the No S thread. Short version:
I'm doing low-carb the rest of the week too Nicole. I'm refining it more to have just what I really want rather than a free for all. What I think I'm really learning is what I really want and what I thought I wanted, just because it's been previously off limits, are two different things. But there is definitely a learning curve.

I tried the "whatever" and I do mean WHATEVER the first couple weeks and gained about a pound a week. Considering what I did eat, that was actually pretty good, but not the goal.

This week DH is doing Protein Power, so I am going to be more strict during the week without the sugar rush on the weekend.

[sunday]

Hello Everyone!

Mini, I agree with Lynn. I truly think your body is healing now and that is a good thing! And you will arrive at the goal weight as you continue with clean eating. I am losing very slowly, but for the first time in a long while, it is consistent. With JUDDD, there is no more ups, no more rebounds. I am working on hormonal balancing and going to have the cortisol testing as per Shelbyla's link she shared. I know I will have about two more months of this maybe more before I arrive at goal, but I can't imagine going back to Hcg ever. I have watched many, many friends and family struggle with the rebounds from strict hcg protocol. I know it is fast weight loss, but at what price.

[MsHistory]

No hcg today, and the emotional insanity is gone... sigh. Why couldn't it have been caused by veggies or working out?!

I need to wait until a more stable time in my life to try to give it another go... but in the meantime, I'm so nervous about picking a new plan. I don't even know where to start... Theoretically, if I eat P3 foods and limit calories (only somewhat; I have no willpower on my own) I should lose weight, right? Maybe a fat fast and then LC? JUDDD? No-S? So disheartening to not have the hcg in my back pocket in case of emergencies anymore...

[sunday]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

No hcg today, and the emotional insanity is gone... sigh. Why couldn't it have been caused by veggies or working out?!

I need to wait until a more stable time in my life to try to give it another go... but in the meantime, I'm so nervous about picking a new plan. I don't even know where to start... Theoretically, if I eat P3 foods and limit calories (only somewhat; I have no willpower on my own) I should lose weight, right? Maybe a fat fast and then LC? JUDDD? No-S? So disheartening to not have the hcg in my back pocket in case of emergencies anymore...

I think you should choose something that is going to be sustainable for the long haul and since you are so close to goal, any plan that you stay true to will get you there. The deal is that "No S", Atkins, Optimal or Paleo are plans that you know work and what is even better is that JUDDD or IF can be done in combo with all of these plans. If you so choose!

[minimonkey]

Thanks for all the caring, ladies -- I appreciate it. I know you are right -- it's just hard to shake off the desire to do something that works, even if it HAS backfired on me. I'll keep fighting the good fight, and hopefully get some results soon. Remembering how miserable I feel after a few days on p2 is a good reminder as well.

Ms History -- wow, about the no emotional insanity -- could the effects really be that immediate? Glad you are feeling better, and sorry to hear it wasn't the veggies that were to blame, lol.

I got in a good upper body workout today -- I am gaining some really nice mass in the upper body -- once my arms lean back out they are going to look good, I think -- and I am looking forward to getting progressively stronger.

I think it is basically meat, veggies, good fats, and a few berries for me for a while .... it's boring, but I hope it gets the job done.

[minimonkey]

Lynne -- I finally got brave and started using the Nerium again. I've got a bit of a break out on my chin at the moment, but it is minor and pretty clearly hormonal, and seems to be clearing up already. It started before resuming the Nerium.

[paulabob]

What was the deal Sunday? I had my own carbout blast. Up 2.6 pounds.

I guess I know my problem, Tom is making its appearance now. That pre-TOM hunger can sometimes be insane. And I didn't use any of my "techniques" to avoid the cravings. It's hard for them to work when you don't even try!

I don't want to be in that habit of regret/re-lose, regret/re-lose....cause you don't really lose weight well that way nor feel good about yourself. OK, self hatred rant done and over.

Think I'll pull out my salmon for today's lunch. Some nice omegas will be good for me!

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning and happy Monday. Went for a long walk yesterday and woke up and did my weights this morning. I'm already exhausted and I work until 6:30 today

Eating is going well. Vlc for now with some veggies but not a lot. I can't seem to stomach much but junk and I'm trying to steer clear

[DebbyL]

Mini, I just read a post by a friend w/thyroid issues... she decided to stop "counting her coconut oil; and stop working out) ... since she's so close to goal, and felt she was stressing out her body... she lost 2.5 lbs in that one week of "rest"
... just a thought, maybe all the hard work-outs have something to do with the water wt.?
I think I will try to get the 1 day of rest in there, and see if it helps too. Have a good one!

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Lynne -- I finally got brave and started using the Nerium again. I've got a bit of a break out on my chin at the moment, but it is minor and pretty clearly hormonal, and seems to be clearing up already. It started before resuming the Nerium.

Wow, great minds think alike!! LOL!! I started back with mine yesterday after a long break, only due to my own laziness!! I'm not normally a night time face-washer. Shocking, I know.

Sunday was a challenge for others, too? I guess I'm in really good company!! We went to a bbq which should have been perfect for me: tons of meat (beef, pork and chicken) and a bit of salad!! Well, that and the wine, which then led to a trip to the dessert table! So, it went from perfect meal to perfect disaster!! At one point I turned to Mr. Goddess and said, "don't judge me"!!

I was shocked at how quickly the junk effected me!! At home watching True Blood and The Newsroom (any fans?) my heart was pounding!! I hope I'll be able to burn off some of the excess glycogen this morning in my workout. I woke up feeling so terribly hungry, but I know it's from the sugar, so I'm going to ignore it as long as possible, at least until an hour after my workout.

Wishing us all a much better week!!

[Nicole T]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

No hcg today, and the emotional insanity is gone... sigh. Why couldn't it have been caused by veggies or working out?!

I need to wait until a more stable time in my life to try to give it another go... but in the meantime, I'm so nervous about picking a new plan. I don't even know where to start... Theoretically, if I eat P3 foods and limit calories (only somewhat; I have no willpower on my own) I should lose weight, right? Maybe a fat fast and then LC? JUDDD? No-S? So disheartening to not have the hcg in my back pocket in case of emergencies anymore...

I've been reading A LOT on the No S and that's exactly where I am going once I get through this P3! I even got his book on my Kindle--I really enjoy reading his writing!