Atkins/Other Plans after HCG

[minimonkey]

Hi everyone! Many of you long time hcg-ers know me already....

I'm starting this thread for those of us who are moving to other plans after doing hcg -- either because we found that hcg wasn't the plan for us, or because we hit goal and want something different for maintenance.

I have had my ups and downs with hcg, and have finally decided that it isn't the solution for me -- I've gotten to goal on it three times, but have never managed a successful maintenance -- and so I am giving Atkins another try.

I'm currently sitting about 10-15 lbs above my preferred goal weight, and I have no idea if I will be able to lose on induction level carbs, but I am going to give it a try. I've done Atkins very successfully in the past, but stalled out on it a bit shy of goal before -- this is my experiment to see if a very diligent Atkins plan, no alcohol, and regular intense workouts can get me to goal this time.

I tried JUDDD, but found I wasn't ready for more caloric restriction after my multiple rounds of p2 -- so I decided I will put that on hold for a possible revisiting at a later date.

I'd love to have others join me who are in a similar situation.

[TerriMM]

I’m in!

I’ve been doing HCG for a little over a year. It got me past a wall I couldn’t get by on Atkins, but I too have trouble stabilizing and am not in the frame of mind that I can even consider another P2 at this time.
I've found some pretty reliable maintenance with very little restrictions on the No S diet. It's given me a much needed break without losing too much ground. You can get all you need to do it free from the web site: nosdiet.com. I did buy the book very cheaply on Amazon and I'm glad I did, it's just helped me cement the principles in my mind. It's so simple it's almost hard to take seriously. Basically in a nutshell the rules are:
No Seconds
No Snacks
No Sweets
Except “occasionally” on S Days (Saturday, Sunday, Special Days and Sick Days) that's it!
I started P3 June 7th and went to No S with carbs June 10th. From June 7th to the 9th my weight went from 128.7 to 129.7. I didn't weigh again until that Friday June 15th 130.9. Two weeks later I'm 132.5, so I have gone up some. I have however celebrated my birthday and eaten every bad thing under the sun from KFC & pizza to Ice cream and brownies. I've followed the No S rules, but have pushed the "single plate" rule a bit much. I'm planning to work on that from here on and work on limiting the really bad choices more.

I’m considering adding Atkins to get the losses back going if doing No S alone with a saner frame of mind doesn’t start to move me in the downward direction. But for now I’m No S.

[minimonkey]

Whooohoo Terri! So glad you are joining me!

I ended a strangely rogue p2 about ten days ago -- before that I had done a very, inadvisably long p2, followed by a disastrous p3 during an intensely mentally and physcially stressful time of my life. I gained about 20 lbs during the stress p3, so I went on a rogue p2 with a cleanse for 23 days -- that took off about 10 of the 20 or so I had gained, which was largely inflammation I believe.

After ending the last p2, I attempted to combine p3 and JUDDD, but just couldn't handle any further caloric restriction at that point, and was dealing with crazy, out of control hunger. I was also feeling weak and low energy after the last p2/cleanse.

So, I decided to change courses completely, even if it meant temporarily gaining before finding a balance. So for the past week, I have been eating to absolute satisfaction on p3 foods. I'm off the scale, but I know I am up quite a bit, a lot of which is water retention due to a long bout of PMS -- and some of it, no doubt, is also fat gain.

As of yesterday, I am on my old standby, Atkins. I'm starting out with induction level carbs, but not following the induction foods list (this may need to change.) I'm simply keeping carbs to 20 grams or thereabouts for now, and focusing on high fat percentages.

I have no idea if this will work for me as a former hcg-er -- but I am hoping it will. I am working out pretty strenuously (weights, barre work, a little cardio) about 4 times a week. I am not drinking any alcohol, which I used to do regularly when I did Atkins before.

I am hopeful that this will allow me to begin losing again, and eventually hit goal.

I may do a fat fast in a few days, if I haven't dropped the water weight by then, to kick start the process. (You rogues know I love my fat fasts!)

[TerriMM]

Great to join you on this journey Mini! Looking forward to it

Another big change for me is I'm only weighing in once a week, on Fridays. If cortisol really does make you gain, the lack of stress this one little change has made will make me skinny in a heartbeat

[sunday]

Good luck Mini! I was in the same boat with the Hcg Protocol. I lost 45 lbs but only stabilized for a year and half before I started gaining and the next thing you know I am over by 30 lbs. I am amazed at how you were able to do hcg protocol for so long and work out like you do. Would love to know what causes the stabilization issues??? I have witnessed many of my friends have the exact same thing happen with stabilization and some have not been able to go back on protocol without falling off plan before the phase 2 is complete. It is true that each subsequent round is more difficult.

I know you will do well because you have such a strong willpower and goal set. I am trying to combine JUDDD with the hunger scale and it definitely takes a lot of forethought and listening to our own body. So, we will see how this goes. JUDDD is not perfect and probably is not the best way to lose because of the slow progress, but it seems to be a good maintenance plan. I do know that in maintenance I can have 800 cals on DD and that seems much better than 500.

I have never done the Atkins induction and pretty much remained LC after protocol until I found JUDDD in Feb. I would be interested in trying it out if I thought I could move a bit faster than I am now. I will be watching with you with interest.

Good luck to both of you!

[minimonkey]

Sunday! Nice to see you here -- please feel free to chime in anytime, even if just to chit chat

I wonder what causes the stabilization issues too -- I've done scary long rounds of p2, and I can have a pretty iron will, but I just can't get the losses to stick for any period of time, even with a very clean p3. Each round HAS gotten harder, for the most part, and I think the rebound gains seem to get worse each time, too.

I gave up on working out on p2, finally -- I just got way too weak and dragged out after a while. I think maybe that was part of the problem -- I taxed myself too hard on p2, and would hit the gym mat running in p3, and then my body couldn't adapt to all of it at once... who knows?

I do know that Atkins has treated me very well with regards to workouts, and that it is a very sustainable way of eating for me -- JUDDD wasn't seeming that way when I tried it, but that may just be due to it being on the heels of SO much restricting over the past year.

Thanks so much for your well wishes -- this, like everything else I do, is an experiment ... but I think it has some promise.

If TOM ever starts, I'll weigh once it gets going.

I"m going to go get on my rebounder now for some HIIT

[anir]

hi guys im r1 vlcd5 and im thinking to do 17 day diet after hhcg p4
i did atkins before and was good but gain back i know alots of ppl did 17 day diet and lost weight and keep it off by following the cook book menu

[TerriMM]

Thanks for the well wishes Sunday. You're text book "other" with JUDDD. Hope you plan to stick around.

Great Luck Anir! Round One is so exciting! How are you doing so far?

Well my new found enthusiasm found me pulling out my Pilates DVD and doing Abs and Arms. A nice new challenge from my lift/squat routine I've grown a little too comfortable with.

Let's go Girls! We can do this!!

[minimonkey]

Sunday is one of my BUDDDs from the JUDDD forums Yes, Sunday, please keep posting -- plus, she rebounds! (the trampoline, not the scale, lol)

I am retaining SO much water right now, and it is just utterly miserable I'm doing a lot of searching about for answers to this -- I'm sure some of it is from rapidly abandoning the low calorie regimen, and also from never-ending PMS -- but this is brutal.

I hope tonight's rebounding session helps a bit with that -- I just did the cardio, and skipped the strength section, because my roommate/workout partner and I are hitting the gym tomorrow for some serious lifting. The cardio felt good, though.

Terri -- good for you getting out the Pilates! Which system do you use for that? And for lifting, too, now that we are on the subject.

Anir -- I am not very familiar with the 17 day diet. I remember reading a little about it a while back... seems like you are off to a good start with your hcg round

[minimonkey]

I just did some reading on the effects of ending caloric restriction on the body, and I am pretty sure that my current bout of water retention is largely related to that. I did p2 for way too long last year, and now I am paying for it ... my hunger levels are wacky, I'm swelling up like a balloon ... not good.

I'm not going to let myself spiral off into a lot of fear, here -- I am going to eat frequently, keep my carbs controlled, keep working out, and trust that my body can repair itself fairly quickly.

You'd think I might have learned my lesson about the after effects of prolonged calorie restriction years ago, when I starved myself skinny on more than one occasion -- but no... I got sucked right back into it this time. I am not blaming the hcg protocol for this .. I am blaming myself for not following the recommended maximum time for rounds and not taking the recommended breaks, and so forth.

One thing that IS clear to me, though, is that further low calorie dieting is absolutely NOT the answer for me at this time. I need to nourish my body, and let it heal itself.

I do think that calorie cycling might interest me at some point soon, but not down to the level of JUDDD, at least not now. My gut instincts were right on this one -- my body is trying to recover from the restriction, and a true break from under-eating is what that is going to take.

I did manage to stabilize last summer, just at a weight that didn't make me happy ... and I also gradually lost weight for a while before I got impatient and went back on p2... so I have hope that I can, indeed, recover fairly fast from whatever damage I may have done with all the prolonged restriction.

[TerriMM]

Good Morning Mini,
This is a reprint from a list I looked up last year. Maybe it will give you some ideas. Water retention is miserable. Hope you feel better today.

I looked up diuretic foods, this is what I got:
Natural Diuretics
Please investigate all the natural healing and alternative methods, especially including healing foods. Self-healing is possible in fact it is very likely if you apply the different methods that we suggest here. Healing is a multifaceted process. It can be overwhelming when you began. Try one thing at a time and work it. Don't try to do too much at once.

Many people have a water retention problem. Women especially suffer from this when they have their monthly period. Instead of turning to over the counter medications why not turn to the healing power of foods and herbs. The natural healing properties of these foods can help in treating sciatica, blood pressure, lymphatic swelling, PMS, kidney and liver disorders.

Foods can cause if you to retain water. Such things as excess amounts of salt and sugar can make you retain water and inadequate amounts of protein. Many foods can act as a diuretic and will aid in the production of urine. This will help you remove fluids from your body. Remember to always use moderation and caution when using a diuretic.

Apple cider vinegar -- is a natural diuretic and helps maintain potassium levels.

Artichoke -- natural diuretic

Asparagus -- contains asparagines, a chemical alkaloid which helps flush the kidneys.

Beets -- attacks floating body fat and fatty deposits.

Brussels sprouts -- cleanse the cell and stimulate thought kidneys and pancreas.

Cabbage -- breaks up fatty deposits.

Carrots -- speeds up metabolic rate and helps remove fat and waste from the body.

Cranberry juice -- aids in the removal of excess fluid from the body.

Cucumber -- stimulate the kidney and aid in the removal of uric acid.

Dandelion And Dandelion Leaf -- natural diuretic, and leaf key aides in the detoxification of the urinary tract.

Green tea -- natural diuretic and has been used for centuries in China.

Fennel -- has a calmative and diuretic property.

Horseradish -- speeds up the metabolism and helps eliminate fluid.

Lettuce -- aids in metabolism and flushing of toxins from the system.

Nettle -- has natural diuretic properties.

Oats -- contains silica in natural diuretic.

Tomatoes -- are rich in vitamin C that aids metabolism in the release of water from the kidneys.

Watermelon -- natural diuretic helps increased urination.

[Sunny7]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Whooohoo Terri! So glad you are joining me!

I ended a strangely rogue p2 about ten days ago -- before that I had done a very, inadvisably long p2, followed by a disastrous p3 during an intensely mentally and physcially stressful time of my life. I gained about 20 lbs during the stress p3, so I went on a rogue p2 with a cleanse for 23 days -- that took off about 10 of the 20 or so I had gained, which was largely inflammation I believe.

After ending the last p2, I attempted to combine p3 and JUDDD, but just couldn't handle any further caloric restriction at that point, and was dealing with crazy, out of control hunger. I was also feeling weak and low energy after the last p2/cleanse.

So, I decided to change courses completely, even if it meant temporarily gaining before finding a balance. So for the past week, I have been eating to absolute satisfaction on p3 foods. I'm off the scale, but I know I am up quite a bit, a lot of which is water retention due to a long bout of PMS -- and some of it, no doubt, is also fat gain.

As of yesterday, I am on my old standby, Atkins. I'm starting out with induction level carbs, but not following the induction foods list (this may need to change.) I'm simply keeping carbs to 20 grams or thereabouts for now, and focusing on high fat percentages.

I have no idea if this will work for me as a former hcg-er -- but I am hoping it will. I am working out pretty strenuously (weights, barre work, a little cardio) about 4 times a week. I am not drinking any alcohol, which I used to do regularly when I did Atkins before.

I am hopeful that this will allow me to begin losing again, and eventually hit goal.

I may do a fat fast in a few days, if I haven't dropped the water weight by then, to kick start the process. (You rogues know I love my fat fasts!)

Hey miniM could you post your menu for the fat fast, i would like to try one, i have done a meat/egg fast for a few days, but not a fat fast

Thanks

[dazygyrl]

i am doing a P2 right now, but plan to go back to no-s. i will be going on a family cruise on the heels of this p2...yeah, not sure how wise that is, i hear cruise ships are FULLLLL of foooooood ...but, i intend to NOT obsess over food. will try my best at being mindful, tho. i am open to needing to return to hcg after we return from our cruise, if need be.

[SunnyFL]

Hey all!!

I posted over yesterday, so downloaded the new atkins plan and gonna read up on it. I am happy eating P4 style, I do love whole grains and try to include one serving a day...however, I am all for setting them aside to lose these last 8-10 pounds. I like the new atkins because it incorporates whole grains, which I like!

So I am with ya! Just gonna read up, and probably around end of July dive right in!!!

Yay!!

I just can't do another round of HCG...I decided last night, and thanks for sharing your insight Mini
I need fat...my body needs fat for it's mental, physical health. When I am on P2 I literally become depressed and it's like invasion of the body snatchers. Awful...add in pure hcg hormone and it's a recipe for disaster. I tried both homeopathic and the hormone and it was the same. I have never suffered from depression or anxiety, but I do on P2...three rounds later, I have decided I don't want to put myself and my husband through that. I mean when I found myself crying on the kitchen floor hysterically sobbing and my husband had to hold me for a long while before I calmed down, for no reason whatsoever, that is not healthy!! What makes it worse is being a counselor I know the signs of depression but it is friggin scary as heck when it happens to you. I experimented with Fat fast days and guess what? Literally within 30 minutes of consuming fat I felt better. And the more fat I ate, the better my mood!!

Since being on P4 I havent had to use St. John's wort...I feel fantastic.

Anyhow with that being said, I want to be healthy in mind, body, and spiritually....so here we go! Starting my exercise regimen today

[miamiloca]

Im going to chime in and agree with those that are saying they need fat to function--add me in to those....i have also found that each round for me gets harder and harder....my last P2 was disastrous and a complete wash as i gained every single pound back from it and am right where i was before i started it. (i lost down to 187 and am right back up to 197). Im pretty sure it was a combo of de-activating or this paticular brand was just not working for me and i had huge, uncontrolable hunger during the entire round and cheated--multiple times--on these hhcg pellets, plus i just went thru and huge emotional ordeal and was just not mentally prepared for the round)......I still need to lose about 15lbs and am not sure how im going to get there just yet, but luckily i have been able to maintain in P3/P4 with minimal flucuations, mostly because I love the WOE and am, like Sunny and others, happy when i eat fats. I am considering doing one more round with injections to see how it works for me, but im not really in a hurry, considering my last disaster round, and i need to break from it for a while. Just wanted to share my experience with you lovely ladies. Now excuse me while i go eat my lovely mayo filled chicken salad for lunch. lol

[dazygyrl]

i need fat too, so i eat some fat while i do my p2.

i eat whole eggs, string cheese, coconut milk...every day. plus fatty beef, 93/7 instead of 96/4. i'll eat cream cheese.

i still lose.

[RileyWorm]

I want to join in here. Not on HCG right now, lost around 40 pounds through 3 rounds. Now just eating as clean as I can (trying to kick the artifical sweetener, and I drink protein) and working out like mad, and want to get fit and down about 10 more pounds. I think this is going to be a good group here! Many of us are in the same boat it sounds like!

[SunnyFL]

Hey!!! Yes I think we are all struggling with those last 10!

Riley glad you made it to the 130's!! My LIW was 135 but I truly stabilized at 136.6 so that's what I use. I'm at 139.8 today coming back from an all out pig out fest for 5 days in New Orleans last Thursday LOL!!

WHat kind of workouts are you doing?

[RileyWorm]

Sunny,
I wish I could say that I was in the 130's - I made it stick for a few months but have been at 141 for a week or so - I am suspecting my heavy workouts are to blame but maybe not. Alcohol on the weekends also sabotages me. :/ I kept losing on 'P3' down to 134 but stabilized best in the 135.something range.
I've been doing 30 min cardio 3x a week, and I do a mixture of weight training exercises - weighted lunges, squats (and squats, and squats, and more squats lol), calf raises, bicep curls, rows, deadlifts, weighted ab exercises,bridges, etc etc. I try to mix it up a bit, 3x a week. I am eagerly awaiting the purchase of an adjustable dumb bell set so I can step it up a notch!! I get alot of exercise ideas from Pinterest.

[minimonkey]

Wow -- lively group here!!!

To answer the fat fast question -- it's generally 1000 calories, 90% from fat. (I think the new edition of Atkins recommends 1200 calories, but I am not sure). I usually eat kefir cheese ( a very fatty greek yogurt) a bit of almond butter, and a large amount of coconut oil melted with sweetener (stevia, splenda) and unsweetened coconut oil, and drizzled over the top. Any combo of foods is fine, as long as the macros are correct.

[minimonkey]

Riley -- I've had crazy water gains with the increased eating and the weight training -- and I do know a lot of it is water -- probably about ten pounds worth!!! I wish I knew what to do about it other than just ride it out, but I surely don't.

Thanks for the list of supplements, Terri -- I do find some of those helpful -- I am taking antiinflammatory supplements that contain most of those ingredients at this point I think.

I had a much lower appetite today, thank goodness -- LOVE me some Atkins! Also got in a pretty intense weights workout, and wasn't ravenous after.

I told my roommate I was going back to Atkins, and giving up on low calorie/low fat -- she was very glad, and commented that my mood while dieting is pretty awful. My roommate and I don't always see eye to eye (that is an understatement) -- but I do think she is right about that part of things.... I am an emotional wreck without fat in my diet.

[minimonkey]

DAZY! So glad you are here too

I am so grateful to have this support -- this hasn't been an easy decision to make, but I think I am really DONE with hcg for good.

I think the water retention is a little better today -- still there, but abating a little, I think.

[SunnyFL]

Mini how are you doing so far? I got the new Atkins book on my nook but am reading another novel so I get sidetracked lol

Gonna start end of July for sure, now just riding it out and trying to stay below 140.
Happens when I add carbs but I know if I could call 130 my "high" end I'd be thrilled
So that's my goal!!

Happy 4th!!! Gonna be a beach day for me

[dazygyrl]

mini... hope you have great success with atkins.

you remember my struggles with hcg and no fat....this round is going so much better...i thought i was DONE with hcg too...but i simply had to do something to stop the proverbial 'bleeding' of gaining. i found the patches...did some reading on people's experience with it and felt inspired to give it a go. i am getting 30-40g of fat and 70-80g of protein a day and that has really...but staying 700-750 cals. i have been feeling really good mentally. and the hunger control is good too....appropriate hunger before a meal.

[sunday]

Gosh Mini, I am wondering if you have something underlying that may be contribution to water retention? I know that deep muscle tissue can cause water retention, but you may also need to check if it could be another health issue contributing to this? Have you had your thyroid checked? I love that you have started this thread and will be back when I have time because I have more that I would like to discuss!


Causes of Body Water Retention - Natural Water Retention Remedies

[sunday]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

mini... hope you have great success with atkins.

you remember my struggles with hcg and no fat....this round is going so much better...i thought i was DONE with hcg too...but i simply had to do something to stop the proverbial 'bleeding' of gaining. i found the patches...did some reading on people's experience with it and felt inspired to give it a go. i am getting 30-40g of fat and 70-80g of protein a day and that has really...but staying 700-750 cals. i have been feeling really good mentally. and the hunger control is good too....appropriate hunger before a meal.

Hi dazygyrl! I will be following your P2 with interest. My daughter is doing a round with her hubby and they are on the Intermountain Pellets. I would like to help them with their menus because neither have much to lose, but seem to have to grab food on the go. She is a Lacatation Consultant and he is an attorney whose life is always on the go! Thanks for sharing!

Also, what brand of patches are you using? They both keep forgetting to dose and I try to explain that this could stall them. Especially, since they do stay so active.

[dazygyrl]

the brand is frequency apps.

i really like them. very comparable to intermountain pellets for me. i love not having to remember to dose...just change the patch every 3 days.

[TerriMM]

Good Morning All!
Happy Independence Day!! God Bless America!!

I had a great day yesterday. Went to a AAA Baseball game for my niece’s 13th birthday. The fireworks afterward were spectacular.

I'm surprised how the No S is really controlling my appetite, as I'm eating a lot of carbs. I did have an extra snack yesterday as my dinner was really just a snack (garlic fries) and although it could have held me over, DH wanted to stop for a little something extra so I relented with two small tacos. We parked very far away from the stadium, so I did get in a nice walk. But it was an "S" day so no guilt.

I feel my Pilates workout from Tuesday. Although it was a short 20 minutes, I feel like it really paid off. I'm going to do Abs and Legs today. To answer your question Mini, to get off my butt and get going, I picked up a couple DVDs with 10 minute routines that I can do separately or string together. I have also put together some lift/squat routines that I do simultaneously that I do for 10-25 minutes. That way I can't say I don't have 10 minutes to exercise, but I usually end up doing more. To challenge I've added heavier weight, rather than worry about extra time. It seems to be working out better to get me to be more consistent. I am also seeing the toning and feeling the better.

Morning Buddy Girl, glad you joined in

[TerriMM]

One other thing I wanted to mention. I picked up some more L-Glutamine. I read somewhere on this forum that it helps to control carbs cravings. I tried it before and I really think it helped and already after a couple days I feel more in control. And I have never felt any advantage with any other diet related supplement. And I have tried a few For what it's worth

[SunnyFL]

Oooo Garlic fries!!! I had some garlic and feta fries fried in duck fat in Nola...they were amazing, simply amazing....

I decided come August, I'm joining the LA Fitness as it is right by my work (like a 5 minute drive) and the mat pilates, kickboxing, and aqua fit classes, I think also zumba start around 5:30...I get out of work at 4:00 so that works out perfectly. Really excited!! I love pilates, I was a ballet dancer for 11 years when I was younger and man was I strong, I had killer lean legs, would love to get those calves back. Anywho, that's why I love Pilates as it replicates barre techniques and you get lean long muscles, love that! Can't wait to strengthen my core, it's a fluffy core right now lol

Today had whole grain couscous for breakfast with greek yogurt and SF maple syrup, did the elliptical, swept and vacuumed the house and now contemplating taking a walk by the beach before it rains...I hear the thunder already.

Terri so glad you are doing well btw, that is great! I went over a bit in my weight as I had over three bowls of my whole grain breakfast couscous yesterday lol...
C'est la vie...I am so amazed how calm I am about gains, totally not like me...as I know I can reign it in I guess? What I do find frustrating is wondering what I'm gonna eat all the time. It literally is borderline OCD lol...Perhaps it's time to make myself menus the night before and stick with that...maybe that will help. Hmmm....

TTFN