Newbie-in-waiting! Pre-HCG advice please

[buttah]

Hi everyone!

Okay, so I've read the stickies here, Pounds & Inches (twice), and Robin Woodall's Weight Loss Apocalypse. I've watched vlogs, and I've combed through this forum.

I have lost about 20 lbs since February (mostly eating low glycemic, and lately on JUDDD), but I have about 25 more I'd like to lose, and I want to speed things up. So... after much research and knowing my own comfort level, I will be doing RX HCG under doctor/clinic supervision after I get back from a trip at the end of August (I also hope to have lost a couple more pounds by then.) I plan to do four weeks of HCG, and while I know it likely won't knock off all 25 lbs, I'm hoping I'll be close.

I've noticed quite large percentage of people seem to regain HCG-lost weight (more so and faster than other programs). I've looked hard to find the "why" of that, and as a result, I'm going to be getting some counseling once I'm off the protocol, most likely from Robin herself via Skype, because I really believe she's onto something with the Leptin theories and the Hunger Scale, etc.

But ANYWAY... the reason I'm here is to ask you guys these three questions.

1. What do you WISH you knew before you started HCG?

2. What are the must-haves that I should stock up on before I start (products, perfect portion size frozen fish, etc.)?

3. Any great cook-ahead type meals you can recommend?

Thank you all in advance!

[manders]

1. Cheating on any diet will mess you up, but I wish I knew HOW BAD cheating on HCG will affect you. I gained 4lbs from one small cheat. I also wish I knew not to load on all carbs. Should have loaded on fats.

2. I liked to stock up on individual portions of veggies and chicken. My problem isn't always eating right, it's portion size.

3. It isn't really a meal, but once or twice a week I would cook up a pound of beef and have it to eat throughout the next few days.

[buttah]

Manders, I am OCD, which the nurse at the clinic told me usually leads to a successful no-cheating round. God knows it makes the rest of my life difficult, so I'm glad it's a bonus here. I am already planning on loading with very limited carbs, but glad to have it reinforced!

[jt_gmotu]

Originally Posted by buttah

Hi everyone!

Okay, so I've read the stickies here, Pounds & Inches (twice), and Robin Woodall's Weight Loss Apocalypse. I've watched vlogs, and I've combed through this forum.

I have lost about 20 lbs since February (mostly eating low glycemic, and lately on JUDDD), but I have about 25 more I'd like to lose, and I want to speed things up. So... after much research and knowing my own comfort level, I will be doing RX HCG under doctor/clinic supervision after I get back from a trip at the end of August (I also hope to have lost a couple more pounds by then.) I plan to do four weeks of HCG, and while I know it likely won't knock off all 25 lbs, I'm hoping I'll be close.

I've noticed quite large percentage of people seem to regain HCG-lost weight (more so and faster than other programs). I've looked hard to find the "why" of that, and as a result, I'm going to be getting some counseling once I'm off the protocol, most likely from Robin herself via Skype, because I really believe she's onto something with the Leptin theories and the Hunger Scale, etc.

But ANYWAY... the reason I'm here is to ask you guys these three questions.

1. What do you WISH you knew before you started HCG?

2. What are the must-haves that I should stock up on before I start (products, perfect portion size frozen fish, etc.)?

3. Any great cook-ahead type meals you can recommend?

Thank you all in advance!

Buttah!

Good q's.
1. I totally agree with Manders on no Cheats...it will mess up your weight loss for 4-6 days...easily....

You can figure on losing on the average of 0.5 lbs/day for every day you're on hCG...so you have a good chance of losing 18-25 lbs on a 40 day round. If you do a shorter round, adjust down accordingly.

Take before and after pix. I took mine in tshirt/shorts and also in bathing suit...You'll be glad you did.

Supplements help. Magnesium, Potassium, Biotin, MSM, Multi Vitamin, Vitamin D are all helpful. Follow your MD's recommended suggestions.

Get a good food scale--one that weighs in ounces/grams...I got "the Biggest Loser" one at one of the big box stores...you'll be glad you got an easy to clean one.

It's ok to walk for exercise...but unless you've been exercising heavily up until now, Simmeons recommended that you wait to add in exercise till at least P3/P4.

2. My DH loves to grill...so I have him grill a bunch of chicken breasts...I usually figure 2.5 oz cooked = 3oz uncooked. Portion everything out in individual snack size ziploc bags...and then put them in one big ziploc in fridge. Then you can always have your protein with you.

I also aways carried a fruit and my grissini with me. Just in case....

Walden Farms dressings (tho not completely protocol) seem to work for most folks...and they have individual packets (which I always had with me....) so I could easily get a salad out.

Stevia. READ the Labels. Sweetleaf Stevia comes in powder and liquid forms...the liquids are good for flavoring water, iced tea, coffee, and powder is good for hot beverages and baking. I have bought a bunch of Berry, Lemon Drop and Vanilla Cream...other flavors are available, too. I've heard NOW's Stevia Glycerite is also tasty. Stay away from Stevia in the Raw, as there's dextrose in it. I think Purevia is to be avoided (But I don't remember why...sorry.) Truvia has erythritol (I've heard to hold off on that until P3....but others have used in P2.)

I relied heavily on the dried apple chips...Bare Fruit was the brand I had available to me. 1/2 of a small bag was 1 fruit. Easy to carry and eat if I needed to have my fruit.

3. Look at the recipes section (near the top of this forum....) I know I posted a "cooked chicken" chili...quick to make...and I usually make 5 portions and freeze at least 4 of them (I do this by weight on the food scale)... Other good recipes in there, too!

Most of all, have fun with this. Yes, you'll be losing weight...but once you do, the goal is to learn how to eat as to keep it off...and maintain your loss... Lots of folks on this board have been successful.......You will be too!!!

I know....alot of stuff....Hope this helps!
Jodie Lawrosky in AZ
R4P4

[jt_gmotu]

One more thing. Make sure you're drinking enough fluids.
Goal: Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of fluids.

For example, if you weighed 150 lbs, then you would minimally drink 75 ounces of liquids....(water/tea/coffee)...There's mixed opinion about the fluids being decaffeinated/no caffeine....I've done both and as long as I'm not drinking "leaded" tea/coffee late at night, I'm ok...Your Call!

HTH,
Jodie in AZ

[jt_gmotu]

Last thing....Loading. Make sure you load with high amounts of fats. Try to go easy on the carbs...but get in the foods you won't have for 1-2 months that you know you'll miss. I know some folks who have a load list for their next round...Whatever works...

If you keep the carbs down, then the odds are better that you won't end up with headaches and be detoxing for the week after loading...

Jodie

[junkn]

use an online calorie counter to track your calories daily and weigh in daily. i can't say which one i use on here because its against the rules for some reason but i love it because i can see how many calories i have eaten for the day and it charts my progress.

don't eat too much beef, i found that it stalled me. drink tea or something when you are hungry if its not time for your next meal.

[buttah]

This is great, keep 'em coming! (Already to plan to load with fats, not carbs! Have had hardly a carb in months as it is - will this give me a slower loss than the norm?)

As for the supplements. My clinic is okay with a multi-vitamin, but nothing in gel form (like my calcium). Are those other ones you mentioned typically considered protocol I think magnesium is important as well.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by buttah

This is great, keep 'em coming! (Already to plan to load with fats, not carbs! Have had hardly a carb in months as it is - will this give me a slower loss than the norm?)

As for the supplements. My clinic is okay with a multi-vitamin, but nothing in gel form (like my calcium). Are those other ones you mentioned typically considered protocol I think magnesium is important as well.

I know that there are those that have done low carb before protocol and it will mean less losses that first week. That first week is when you lose your load weight and if you don't gain, you won't lose as big!! It won't mess up your losses, just means your losses might be less as a result. Your losses will still add up and the inches more so

[buttah]

Hmmm. Both Robin and my clinic say the key to a successful load is fats, not carbs/sugar. Granted, there will be some carbs (the breading on my fried chicken, a few fries with my fish & chips, etc.). But I'm not planning on going carb crazy, and somehow I don't think it will "hurt" me.

[buttah]

There are also a few differences between P & I, Robin's method and my clinic's. For example, balsamic vinegar. Clinic says no, because it has sugar. Robin says okay (and there are some without sugar). One says to try to avoid Stevia if possible, the other doesn't seem concerned. Robin sanctions some kind of protein shake they sell at Costco in her "Mind/Body User's Guide to the HCG Protocal." I forget what other differences there are. It's making my OCD explode.

[VTmommy]

good luck buttah! There is an awesome group of ladies here with tons of info!
I have only done one round thus far...but my advice is drink a ton of water, it really helped me.

I have a question to add...what do you folks think would be "perfect loading food". Everyone says stay away from carbs...so then, what really should you eat?

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by VTmommy

good luck buttah! There is an awesome group of ladies here with tons of info!
I have only done one round thus far...but my advice is drink a ton of water, it really helped me.

I have a question to add...what do you folks think would be "perfect loading food". Everyone says stay away from carbs...so then, what really should you eat?

I eat coconut oil, cheese cake (sugar free made by myself), eggs fried in butter with bacon and sausage, greasy, cheesy casseroles. I love Linda Sue's website for cheesy gooey yummy casseroles. I have made her White Castle hamburger pie for loading, her coney island pie, broccoli cheese soup. Oh my. Now I am hungry I should not talk loading while doing P2 Do you need a link to her site? Have you been there before?

Avocados are another must have loading item. I love to use cream in everything when I load too. Use the cream in coffee, in casseroles, in cooking, add cheese to everything too. Fat is soooo easy to get in while loading!!!!! Nut butters are another great source of fats!!! Oh, I really should stop before I get up and find something to eat in my kitchen LOL.

[VTmommy]

Thank you Dawn! I knew you would have some good suggestions! I am in P3, going on vacation in a couple weeks and beginning to plan my next round. Thanks for the tips!

[dawnyama]

Going on vacation in a few weeks? My kids start school next week!! We just got back from our vacation. Good luck on P3!! My 2nd favorite part of protocol, loading being my first love!

[Reddy]

Ok since you're OCD, you may get anxiety over the conflicting information you can read about this diet.

Early on I was very frustrated b/c I read so many different versions of the diet and the protocol.

What I learned is that while some people have had success with slightly "rogue" plans or with different versions, pick one plan and stick to it rather than learning the hard way what will or won't work.

In my case, I was given a great list that made it very easy for me b/c I knew exactly what to eat. (Just pick two proteins, two veggies and two fruits) but then I realized my list allows for Turkey and Scallops which weren't on the original plan. Also, it allowed for a little larger portion of protein, (4oz of chicken rather than 3.5 etc) so I was scared at first.

I have a friend who was given an HCG plan that allows broccoli but no strawberries. It can be maddening honestly. So again, I say pick a plan and follow that. Pounds and Inches seems to work well for everyone.

Just as an idea... this was the list I followed and it made it so easy for me:



You definitely need a scale and it helps sometimes to pre-portion everything which makes it easier to make your meals when you are ready to have them.

The george foreman grill was a life saver too.

And I wrote down exactly what I ate every day so that I could see how different foods effected me.

Good luck! You're going to do great and LOVE this plan b/c so long as you follow it, it WORKS!

[Reddy]

Oh also, as for why people gain the weight back, I'm not certain but I think it has something to do with not following the rules with regard to P3 and P4 or cheating too much which makes stabilizing difficult. As with any diet, a cheat is a slippery slope. Most diets require you to work at it forever. It is an ongoing battle and requires you to always watch b/c once you start to go back to the eating that go you there in the first place, you're bound to gain it back!

[christyb]

I would advise sticking like glue to the protocol in Pounds and Inches.

I wish I had read Weight Loss Apocalypse and watched Robin's videos before I started. So you are ahead of me on that. I wasn't paying attention to my hunger in P2 and just ate everything because I thought I was supposed to. I think P2 is a really good opportunity for us to relearn hunger. Since I have to do a lot of rounds, I'll have plenty of opportunity in the future.

My other advice is to not underestimate the importance of P3 and P4. You'll find a lot of people on the internet skipping phases etc. I think the stabilization is just so important and what sets this plan apart from others.

My go-to meals were meatballs with tomato sauce and chili. I ate them a lot because they always tasted good.

The meatball recipe is here (Baked Italian Meatballs):
HCG Diet - Beef Recipes

and the marinara recipe that goes with it is here:
HCG Diet- Sauce, Dressing and Marinade Recipes

For the chili I just used the recipe in my Betty Crocker cookbook and adjusted it to fit the plan (no beans, etc).

Good luck! I hope your P2 goes great!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Reddy

Oh also, as for why people gain the weight back, I'm not certain but I think it has something to do with not following the rules with regard to P3 and P4 or cheating too much which makes stabilizing difficult. As with any diet, a cheat is a slippery slope. Most diets require you to work at it forever. It is an ongoing battle and requires you to always watch b/c once you start to go back to the eating that go you there in the first place, you're bound to gain it back!

You have to follow the plan ALL THE WAY THROUGH for it to work.

[buttah]

Thanks so much you guys.

As for the re-gaining speed and frequency, it's not just about cheating per se, according to Robin, because the speed at which people gain often goes beyond what's logical per calorie intake (Robin does not believe in calories in/calories out). It has to do with what's been done to the body's hormones and Leptin, etc. The body is literally MORE sensitive to certain foods and non-hunger eating than following any other program (talking about after the VLCD and in stabilization). So yes, cheating is the main factor, but it's WAY worse than cheating on any other diet.

Love that list, Reddy. Any chance you can scan and attach it as a pdf?

Also, I've read about Walmart Tilapia (frozen, perfect size). Any other perfect-size portion fishes you guys love? I'm a big fish eater, and love anything convenient.

[Reddy]

Originally Posted by buttah

Thanks so much you guys.

As for the re-gaining speed and frequency, it's not just about cheating per se, according to Robin, because the speed at which people gain often goes beyond what's logical per calorie intake (Robin does not believe in calories in/calories out). It has to do with what's been done to the body's hormones and Leptin, etc. The body is literally MORE sensitive to certain foods and non-hunger eating than following any other program (talking about after the VLCD and in stabilization). So yes, cheating is the main factor, but it's WAY worse than cheating on any other diet.

Love that list, Reddy. Any chance you can scan and attach it as a pdf?

Also, I've read about Walmart Tilapia (frozen, perfect size). Any other perfect-size portion fishes you guys love? I'm a big fish eater, and love anything convenient.

I know how to scan it but I don't know how to make it a PDF or attach it. IF someone can tell me how, I'd be happy to do that for you.

[buttah]

You know what, I think it will print just fine the way it is!

[buttah]

Wow. There are so many different George Forman grill models!

Which one should I get?

[Reddy]

I just got a small one from Target. If you plan to make multiple portions at once then you might want one of the bigger ones.

[Adrian101]

Mee Too Like U Thats greet it helpful for me

[SirenSongWoman]

Hi, I'm new here. This is my first post. So, firstly, hello .

My question is in regards to loading primarily on fats (skipping the carbs). When you ladies say "fats" what type of fats are best or that you recommend when loading?

Thanks.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by SirenSongWoman

Hi, I'm new here. This is my first post. So, firstly, hello .

My question is in regards to loading primarily on fats (skipping the carbs). When you ladies say "fats" what type of fats are best or that you recommend when loading?

Thanks.

I answered this question in Post #13!!! Go back and look. And....

[buttah]

dawnyama, i would love a link to that site (with the recipes)! Thanks!

[dawnyama]

Here is Linda Sue's site:

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Recipes

Now, just a warning. These recipes are NOT for P2. I repeat, NOT for P2!!!! But perfect for P3 and loading!!! Enjoy!!!
My family's favorites are these:

CHEESY CHICKEN BACON CABBAGE CASSEROLE - Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes
I use sausage in place of the bacon in this one. I have made it with the bacon, but I prefer the flavor with using sausage better. I use the Jimmy Dean sausage in the roll.

WHITE CASTLE HAMBURGER PIE - Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes

These are the ones I make the most from her site. Hope you enjoy!!!

CONEY ISLAND CHILI DOG PIE - Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes

[emel]

Originally Posted by SirenSongWoman

Hi, I'm new here. This is my first post. So, firstly, hello .

My question is in regards to loading primarily on fats (skipping the carbs). When you ladies say "fats" what type of fats are best or that you recommend when loading?

Thanks.

Day 1--- I like:
B:eggs with butter and bacon w/ 1 piece of rye toast
L: a big salad with real dressing, diced up chicken, olives, avacados, walnuts... all sorts of things.

D: a big fat steak, half a sweet potato, and some broccoli w/cheese sauce or hollandaise

Snacks and desserts: some dark chocolate candies or cocoa crack, celery strips and pepper strips and a few crackers with really good cheeses and some cold cuts. Bourbon and diet pepsi. Flax oil and fish oil in double doses, and all the walnuts I can eat (omega 3's)

Day 2:
Brunch: creamed chipped beef over scrambled eggs with a side of bacon, and a bloody mary.

Dinner: usually salmon, but sometimes chicken thighs or hot wings. Not usually hungry anymore, so I'll pick at a salad w/real dressing with it.

Snacks--- cream cheese, olive, and walnut spread w/ celery sticks and a few crackers. flax oil and fish oil in double doses, and all the walnuts I can eat. Not usually hungry for dessert, but I'll have a chocolate candy.