Atkins/Other Plans after HCG

[goddesslynne]

LOL, Terri, it's not that miserable!! It's a meal-replacement plan, low calorie, moderate carb. It's 5 meal replacements and one "regular" meal called "Lean & Green". Total of 800-1000 cals, less than 100g. carb. Fairly low-fat. The advantage is that it's a no-brainer, literally. Everything is spelled out. I went from 240-145 in about 11 months. It was perfect for me to kind-of get off food. By reducing my choices I was able to focus on my health and the psychological reasons I stayed fat and overate. In a lot of ways I think it actually saved my life, or, at least, saved me from some major health issues.

But, it's hard to go back to, after experiencing the lush freedom of Atkin's, and the exciting, fast results of hhcg. Unfortunately, Atkin's is too permissive for me (I don't have a "stop" button) and I'm afraid, as I mentioned, that the vlc of hhcg has messed me up.

So, here I am, questing.

[TerriMM]

WOW Lynne, that's incredible!! Great for you!! So do you eat their food?

I've had some issues with the "stop" button with Atkins too, although I've also had some success. I really like the lifestyle training of No S. I'll let you know what I think of the weight loss potential tomorrow.

[minimonkey]

Suzi -- no one got in trouble for getting too relaxed, did we -- on any of our threads? LOL -- I like bubble butts!

I am still a walking water balloon over here, and it is freaking me out. I literally think I am up 20 lbs, or more, from goal now. I am not going near the scale. I do know a lot of this IS water, but holy moly, is there ever a lot of it! Makes me wonder if this is what has happened, to some degree, in earlier p3s. I wish I could figure out what is causing it.... some people seem to transition to p3 with just minor blips in weight.

I had one p3 that nearly worked for me, until I shot up 5 lbs literally overnight, panicked, and ran back to p2.

Sigh -- I suppose that short of doing that again, and just making everything potentially even worse, the only thing to do is ride it out and wait until things normalize.

At least the constant, nagging, off the charts hunger has decreased to a much more normal hunger level --





I am really hoping this turns around soon -- it's miserable. Makes me want to run right back to p2, and that is probably the worst of all possible choices.

Hunger is still decreasing though, and that is encouraging. Those first few days, I didn't feel like I had a "stop" button either!

[minimonkey]

Don't know if this will be helpful to anyone, but maybe it will:

I've been doing a lot of reading about "post-contest rebound" -- that is what "real" bodybuilders (as opposed to hobby bb'ers, like me) go through after they compete -- they're depleted as heck, generally overtrained, and have starved themselves into a very unnatural state of leanness.

I don't think my situation is all that different -- I also overtrained (partially of my own doing, partially due to situational demands) and was definitely depleted and a bit starved.

Bodybuilders often go hog wild eating post-contest, and this can result in hideous rebound gains, and water retention that is similar to what I am experiencing. (It isn't much different than anorexics who are recovering).

The good news is this: handled well, the 'rebound' period is a time of great anabolic potential -- meaning one can build muscle like nobody's business during this rebound period. Handled poorly, one can gain a tremendous amount of fat.

That would, perhaps, explain why I put on SO much leg muscle during the end of the semester work-a-thon and p3 -- my leg muscle growth was astounding, really, for the time in which it happened. Yes, I gained fat, too -- but a LOT of the gains were muscle. My upper body mass increased quite a bit as well.

Now, as I am attempting p3 again, I think the key is to just ride out the crazy water retention, and do exactly what I am doing -- lift, lift, lift! Lunge, squat, crunch, jump, and lift some more! I am at a prime for muscle growth -- and this is the time to take advantage of it

Yes, I am hating the water retention and the fat gains, but if I can use this to my advantage for muscle building, then I certainly will!!

I'll definitely be wanting to take the fat off, and probably sooner rather than later -- but for now, I am going to concentrate on being a muscle building machine.

[DisneyPrincess]

I was wondering if I can join you all. I'm looking for a new group but don't seem to fit anywhere! I'm pregnant but still carefully watching what I eat. I did hhcg for a while before I got pregnant and may return to it post breast feeding. Right now I'm eating mostly low carb with some fruit thrown in. I gained 50 pounds with my son and I'm tring to keep that a lot lower with this pregnancy! I'm also working out, something I didn't do during my last pregnancy.

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and already up about 12 pounds. A lot was gained very recently which is similar to how I gained with my son. I gained early and then only about 3-5 pounds during my 3rd trimester.

Anyways. Hope there is room for one more

[TerriMM]

Welcome Disney and congradulations!!

I'm up again. Now that I have a kitchen back it's time to figure out a new direction. Not quite sure what that's going to be yet. Admittedly P2 jumps out right away, but don't think my head is there. Seriously thinking about Atkins. How's everyone else doing?

[SunnyFL]

I'm gonna be doing the New Atkins as it contains more carbs and brings in more veggies and fruits, kinda like P3 in OWL...induction is similar and will do it for two weeks.
I'm doing it at the end of July as I have a girls weekend planned for St.Simon's island in Georgia so I will be eating whatever I want, I figure induction will be perfect and a welcOme after lol!!

I got the book for my Nook and am just starting to read it. It's a healthy balanced nutritional approach to eating which fits into my lifestyle outlook AND very very similar to P3 and P4 as I can add grains...

So get this guys, hubby and I ate out at Carrabas last night, mediocre food but Mr. Chef didn't want to cook so I had some bread, grilled chicken, some zucchini, and arugula...hubby some chicken parm. I had one sangria which had sugar cuz I had a headache instantly after on the way home. Hubby had some beers...fast forward I woke up today like I was drugged, exact feeling as if I had taken something, stumbling around, headache, groggy as heck and my eyes couldn't stay open. Hubby looks at me and says you woke up groggy too? Like you were drugged? I said omg yes and we are trying to figure it out. What the heck right? Just throwing it out there, but man so weird...im now having my coffee and feel like I took a Xanax last night....hmmm...hubby is thinking MSG was in the food. All I know is even hungover I didn't feel this icky, ugh!

I'm at 140.8 so I gained 4 oz...not too shabby considering the vino and white bread

Terri sending some positive no gain wine juju your way lol

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

WOW Lynne, that's incredible!! Great for you!! So do you eat their food?

I've had some issues with the "stop" button with Atkins too, although I've also had some success. I really like the lifestyle training of No S. I'll let you know what I think of the weight loss potential tomorrow.

I do still eat the foods, but not as disciplined as their program.

I hope No S is awesome for you!! I'm afraid I don't have the right personality for it. I can't EVER have sugar, it's just too scary and trigger-y for me. Last week on vacation I had some fruit and it scared the $#i+ out of me!! If Mr. Goddess hadn't finished it I would have literally eaten an entire cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple by myself!! I just kept shoveling it in. I'm afraid if I let myself have a day or meal off it will just snowball.

It's hard to believe how much weight I have put on considering that I don't eat sugar, bread, grains of any kind, fruit (except for above), beans or starches. But, I think the processed food of mf isn't good for me, so it will probably have to go as well. I'm just not sure how to proceed. I've really become dependent on it.

So, here I am, ready to soak up some great ideas for what's next!!

[catjrow3]

Subbing in to say hi too! I am not doing quite Atkins/ but similar. I was trying for Dukan, which is mainly protein and low fat... but I am kinda doing my own thing. I did HCG alot last year, lost down, and then regained it all back! Was not able to maintain on it at all!! I am part of Zoe's Rogue group too!! LOL

I am not sure what my plan is exactly, but.... here I am!!

[SunnyFL]

Ok note to self, coconut flour pancakes seem to sponge in tummy LOL...I'm way FULL!!!

I made some coconut flour pancakes with blueberries, surprisingly good

Going to try and do a low carb day today after feeling so crappy this morning, ew...

[DisneyPrincess]

Wow sunny! That's scary!!

Add me to the list of super fast gainers. I seem to look at a carb and gain. I know it is from all my yo to dieting. I'm hoping eating well during pregnancy will help stabilize me. I seem to be maintaining well right now considering I'm eating quite a bit as days.

I think I'm going to look into the new Atkins. Sounds intersting

[SunnyFL]

Disney, I am doing it because I thankfully do not gain much from whole grain carbs, white flours I do gain a little, and definitely gain a bit more when I do the sugar and white flour combo. Each round I did HCG I found I was more and more sensitive to carbs in P4...kinda freaked me out and so I decided I am done with HCG. It brought me to where I am so I still think it is a good plan, I just feel it is time for me to try something else. I need to lose 10 more pounds, (15 would be amazing but I am being realistic) so I figure the New Atkins might help...it's essentially exactly like P3 and P4 just Induction is where you lose, and I know i lose eating high fat and low carb, so here we go!
I'll keep you all posted on my journey when I begin. Right now just playing around and eating healthy and eating whole grains (I am addicted to whole wheat breakfast couscous lol)
I figure once I add in exercise for REAL, and weights I should shape up nicely. I don't freak out anymore like I used too when I gain because I know a few low carb days will bring me back. Once I add in grains I gain 5 pounds, always...and that's fine...I like feeling like a normal person now, and this last P3 I did it for almost 5 weeks as my body was going up and down....it was nuts!
Anyhow, here I am...trying something new that I hope is a for life thing. I am successful with my way of eating, I just have a hard time losing more unless I do another round of HCG and I can't anymore. So let's hope this works!!!

[minimonkey]

Disney!! Cathy!! So glad you are here too!

Disney, sounds like you are about on target for a pregnancy -- yes?

So, although we are all in somewhat different situations, it sounds like we are all pretty clear that more p2 isn't the answer....

[MsHistory]

Aha! So I'm not the only person in post-hcg-diet-limbo! I'm subscribing so I can see if anybody finds any good solutions...

So far, it looks like No-S is a "meh" option... I really want to lose quite a bit more weight though, so I'm thinking I need something else.

I never did Atkins before hcg, but it sounds like that's the route most are going? How much do you all have left to lose?

I'm excited about this thread! I love bouncing ideas!

[minimonkey]

I did a LOT of reading last night about post-contest rebound, since I think that is somewhat applicable to my situation. The big difference is that competitors often do a lot of manipulating of water balance right before they go on stage (they dehydrate themselves in order to show the musculature and look very, very lean) -- but even people who don't do this often suffer bad rebound water retention -- just from returning to nutritive eating.

15 to 20 lbs of water is not that uncommon, believe it or not! (Cathy, I've been thinking a lot about you during this water-retention fest!)

I am just going to ride it out, as miserable as it is. It can take weeks to fully go away for some people.

The best advice seemed to be to cut carbs, eat adequate calories, watch sodium, do some minimal cardio for circulation, and just wait -- small doses of herbal diuretics can help a bit, but stay away from the heavy duty ones, because they just prolong the cycle.

The other advice was to use this anabolic window to one's best advantage -- do as much muscle gaining as possible while the body is primed for it, and expect crazy muscle pumps and swelling as a part of the process. All this seems very consistent with what I am experiencing.

[minimonkey]

Ms History! Welcome!!!!!!! Sorry to hear that you are in limbo as well

Including the water retention that is crazy right now, I have about 20 lbs I'd like to shed -- a lot of that probably IS water, but it certainly makes me look quite fat, regardless.

I'm committed to Atkins for the time being. It has worked for me really, really well in the past.

[minimonkey]

I don't know if any of you got the crazy hunger on p3, but apparently it is a real, physiological phenomenon for some people when they have been restricting for a while. The body goes into eating-overdrive, and no amount of willpower helps quell it. It is driven by major hormonal imbalances resulting from restriction, particularly combined with heavy training.

I was quite relieved reading a lot of this stuff -- at least I feel a lot more normal, in that my body is responding in a fairly typical way.

My hunger levels are way down today -- thank goodness -- and I am going to honor that and just eat according to hunger. I'm also starting to shed some of the water -- slowly, but at least it is consistent, and I feel a little better in that regard every day.

We'll see what happens over the next two days -- I'm working out tonight, and tomorrow I need to move a bunch of heavy furniture in fairly hot weather (my roommate's grandmother died, and we are inheriting a bunch of stuff) -- I'll be sure to pound the liquids, take my vitamins and minerals, and dress in loose, comfy clothing.

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Disney!! Cathy!! So glad you are here too!

Disney, sounds like you are about on target for a pregnancy -- yes?

So, although we are all in somewhat different situations, it sounds like we are all pretty clear that more p2 isn't the answer....

I've gained a little more than average but that doesn't surprise me since I was dieting hard before pregnancy. Like you mini some of the gain is from simply eating "normal" and I am retaining a lot of water now. I'd say I've gained about 5 pounds of fat and the rest is baby stuff.

I started taking some ACV today in hopes to help with the water retention. I'm also very, um, constipated I'd like to try to get that moving but I can't really take anything.

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I don't know if any of you got the crazy hunger on p3, but apparently it is a real, physiological phenomenon for some people when they have been restricting for a while. The body goes into eating-overdrive, and no amount of willpower helps quell it. It is driven by major hormonal imbalances resulting from restriction, particularly combined with heavy training.

I was quite relieved reading a lot of this stuff -- at least I feel a lot more normal, in that my body is responding in a fairly typical way.

My hunger levels are way down today -- thank goodness -- and I am going to honor that and just eat according to hunger. I'm also starting to shed some of the water -- slowly, but at least it is consistent, and I feel a little better in that regard every day.

We'll see what happens over the next two days -- I'm working out tonight, and tomorrow I need to move a bunch of heavy furniture in fairly hot weather (my roommate's grandmother died, and we are inheriting a bunch of stuff) -- I'll be sure to pound the liquids, take my vitamins and minerals, and dress in loose, comfy clothing.

Yup this happened to me.

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by MsHistory

Aha! So I'm not the only person in post-hcg-diet-limbo! I'm subscribing so I can see if anybody finds any good solutions...

So far, it looks like No-S is a "meh" option... I really want to lose quite a bit more weight though, so I'm thinking I need something else.

I never did Atkins before hcg, but it sounds like that's the route most are going? How much do you all have left to lose?

I'm excited about this thread! I love bouncing ideas!

I have about 25lbs to release...but 20 would get me back into my clothes.

[minimonkey]

Well, maybe with us all experimenting, we will find a magic solution, lol!

I'm still hanging on with the Atkins, and at least feeling mighty encouraged by the appetite returning to much more normal levels. Now, I am really looking forward to some of this water retention dropping off.

I hope I don't swell up too much from working out tonight -- I think I may just go in for a tough barre workout -- good for a full body workout, without too much muscle breakdown.

[paulabob]

Joining in! After a couple of months of "maintaining" (aka, gaining 9 pounds back) after my last attempt to lose ended in March...I'm back. Right now, my plan is to eat 8-10000 calories per week, until any month where I lose less than 2 pounds ... then switch back to maintenance. That feels drastic enough for me.... It's lowcarb, my permanent WOE (so great for my low blood sugar I will never stop).

[DebbyL]

Hi there,

So... would your opinion be... HCG is not worth it? Do you think you're in this funk, because of using HCG? or the HCG diet?

I've been considering using HCG & my own 800-1000 calorie diet for a week or two to get rid of that last 10 lbs. However, I really would not want to start a vicious cycle. Been there-done that... so not worth it.

I have thyroid/adrenal issues, so that's why I'm having such a hard time losing this last 10 lbs... freaking out about it, because its been months. I did purchase a bottle of HCG, but have not tried it yet.

Today I switched from 40/30/30 to 25/35/40 (C/P/F), will see how that goes.

[minimonkey]

Debby--

I can't say, based on my experience. I never managed maintenance, and kept jumping back to p2 when I'd start gaining in p3 -- I ended up in a vicious starvation cycle, and it was NO good. If I had followed the protocol exactly, maybe it would have worked out very differently.

At this stage of the game, it definitely isn't the solution for me anymore.

I think adrenal imbalances are part of my picture as well --

I don't want to discourage anyone from trying hcg-- it has worked well for a lot of people -- but please don't make p2 a lifestyle the way I did ... that is a bad idea!

[SunnyFL]

HCG worked to get me where I am, no doubt. However, it made me into such an emotional mess that I am afraid to do it anymore. Would I hesitate to recommend it? Absolutely not, it helped me to be where I am and learning to eat healthy.
I'm just ready now to try something else to lose these last 10 and then maintain for life, thus my interest in doing the new Atkins. I can, thank Goodness, tolerate some carbs so the new Atkins seems more my style and truly how I'm eating now

[DisneyPrincess]

I think I too just did hhcg too long and got burnt out. The low calories made maintaining my losses very hard.

[DebbyL]

Thanks everyone for your answers!

[catjrow3]

Mshistory... I have about 25 to lose... 30 would be better!

I am not able to lose weight with Atkins strictly, I maintained on that too, but i think I need to have lower calories, so I need to still count them and I am trying to eat lower carbs, but not necessarily Atkins/induction, etc. Sort of Dukans, sort of just smart eating/low carbs... no sugar/flour, sweets, and not much if any bread, but still veges, lean proteins, lower fat yogurt, etc...

I hope we all find our way.. I definitely cannot do HCG again!!

And to Add Zoe, I still do that water retention thing like none other! I doubt this will ever change for me either. Sucks

[suzi7]

Originally Posted by DebbyL

Hi there,

So... would your opinion be... HCG is not worth it? Do you think you're in this funk, because of using HCG? or the HCG diet?

I've been considering using HCG & my own 800-1000 calorie diet for a week or two to get rid of that last 10 lbs. However, I really would not want to start a vicious cycle. Been there-done that... so not worth it.

I have thyroid/adrenal issues, so that's why I'm having such a hard time losing this last 10 lbs... freaking out about it, because its been months. I did purchase a bottle of HCG, but have not tried it yet.

Today I switched from 40/30/30 to 25/35/40 (C/P/F), will see how that goes.

I would say it is worth it... if you are willing to go thru with it. I have only done one round (lost 15), but I know seriously for me its not the long term answer. Too restrictive for a "live-it" (not a diet). Atkins (or maybe my very own blend of Rogue Atkins lol is what I need. I know it will be low carb. prob not NO (or teeny) carbs. I want to live long and strong.

But I have tried to lose weight for almost two years now. and nothing has worked. seriously, I kept spreads on caloric intake and burn and I should have hit it perfect (1.5 pounds to 2 pounds a week) and would see NO loss. (I did stop the gain. lol) hHcg was a lifesaver for me!

But now I hope my body will be "jolted" into losing again, that the hunger hormones and all are now back on track, and I will be able to maintain and keep on the healthy path.

That said, I am going to do another round of hHcg. definitely. but ONLY one more. (it may be a long one... I am going to let my body decide) and where ever I end up (hopefully goal or close (within 10 pounds would be fine)) I will be content and just live-it from there.

[minimonkey]

Cathy --

The water retention DOES suck! I am in the middle of it -- it is dropping off, and weirdly, too -- most of it is in my butt right now At least it is going down.

I don't mind minimal carbs for the long haul, though I'd prefer 40 carbs to 20, all things considered. For losing, I need them very low though, and that's fine, as long as it works. Generally I maintain fine on a bit higher carb levels.