P3-P4 Week of August 13th

[Reddy]

Morning everyone. (Actually it's about to be afternoon but I'm dragging today so it feels like morning)

How is everyone doing on the scale today? How was your weekend?

I had a small cheat yesterday. Went for Frozen Yogurt. Had a small portion and I had two flavors. One was sugar free raspberry which was not bad but I couldn't resist the Cinnamon Churro flavor so I had a little of that.

Didn't go up this morning, same weight as yesterday which is .6 over LDW! I'm not complaining!

Feeling pretty good about P3 now that I know that I can eat a good amount and maintain my weight. Husband is taking me out to a nice restaurant on Friday for my birthday so I may have a small cheat and allow myself a few bites of dessert. It's a steak house though so I'll be mostly on plan!

Still fighting the cold which is no fun and TOM is going to be coming soon to mess with me, but I'm doing good. I just placed an order for more HCG and plan to start mid September!

[dbunny]

Over my limit by 2 pounds.. Argh! I went to a dinner where they served hungarian dumplings and strawberry rhubarb pie. I ate it so as not to offend the hosts, but ended up insulting their religion, so it is a good thing I ate their food. Doing a steak CD today and going to drink my weight in water...

[Reddy]

Oh no!!! You ate the food but still managed to insult them? What a shame! Hope it at least tasted good!

Also I hope that your CD nets you a nice loss!

[bkm]

Just checking in to get on thread ... weight is still "good", but I would love to lose another 3-4 pounds!

[cocoapeanut]

Well, I'll officially have to mosey over to the P2 thread now, but I'll still lurk obviously.

[Reddy]

Good luck cocoa! Can't wait to do P2 again!!

[cocoapeanut]

Thank you my dear! If you start again in Sept then I'll be right there with ya!

[Reddy]

I think I may start September 10th. It's a few days shy of the 6 weeks but I'm thinking that will be ok since I prob won't do another round after that for a while!

[Adrian101]

Hello , me also i thanks that weight is Good ..
Pablo Picasso says:" Action is the foundational key to all success."

[julieboolie]

Happy Monday ladies!! I went back and posted a link for this thread. Thanks for getting us rolling Reddy!! In AZ it's just 11am right now .

Reddy-glad you did well w. the froyo!! Makes me feel like I'm indulging, but still the scale holds steady!! Win-win!!

Dbunny-it's all part of life. You'll do great w. your steak day and I'm sure you'll be well w.i. window tomorrow!!

Bonnie-you'll be able to whittle down a few lbs in P4, I'm sure. At least I hope so, I'd like to do the same!!

Well, after my nemesis Sweet T's yesterday, I am up a lb. But, I'm at the top of my window!! I can't believe it!! I was careful, but I ate out all weekend, somewhat controlled, but far from perfect!! I am thrilled!!! I won't do a CD b/c they aren't all that effective for me, but I'll be home today and eat well. I had my love Voskos w. strawberries for bfast, and coffee w. HWC and will likely have tuna salad stuffed tomatoes for lunch. Dinner may be stirfry, may be steak, may be tacos. But, whatever it is, I'll try to listen to hunger and look forward to being down a bit tomorrow!! I am so thankful for where I am right now. I totally give God all the glory for helping me lose, and stabilize!! It's quite a novel place to be. At goal weight and eating well, and able to maintain!! Couldn't be happier!!

[Reddy]

Yay Julie! That's awesome that you're maintaining so well while being able to go out and enjoy food and treats!

Tried to convince DH to eat at ST last night but it was a no go. He's not a fan.

It's 2:30 here and I still haven't had lunch and I'm not hungry! I had a big omelette for breakfast but I think it's the raspberry ketones I started taking. Gonna have some almond butter now... Mmmm that's my fav thing right now!

[bkm]

Originally Posted by Reddy

It's 2:30 here and I still haven't had lunch and I'm not hungry! I had a big omelette for breakfast but I think it's the raspberry ketones I started taking.

Raspberry ketones - looked it up in the Netrition website - does it really work? How long have you used it? Have any of you others tried it? Etc.? Etc.?

It would be nice to have a simple solution for getting "hungry" and then over-indulging - right now, I use will-power, which works for a limited-time only.

[Reddy]

Originally Posted by bkm

Raspberry ketones - looked it up in the Netrition website - does it really work? How long have you used it? Have any of you others tried it? Etc.? Etc.?

It would be nice to have a simple solution for getting "hungry" and then over-indulging - right now, I use will-power, which works for a limited-time only.

Someone on here recommended them after I was complaining about being really hungry in P3. I got them on Friday and started taking on Sat. They really do seem to work today especially. I took one before breakfast and one about 3 hours later and I wasn't even hungry for my lunch so I'm pretty sure they surpress the appetite. We'll see what happens tonight. That's when I usually have the biggest cravings and want to graze in the kitchen.

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Originally Posted by bkm

Raspberry ketones - looked it up in the Netrition website - does it really work? How long have you used it? Have any of you others tried it? Etc.? Etc.?

It would be nice to have a simple solution for getting "hungry" and then over-indulging - right now, I use will-power, which works for a limited-time only.

I attend a TOPS meeting and some gals are using it & liking it. Cinnamon Chromium ($11 for 2 big bottles-Walmart) is another supplement they're using w/ pleasing results. They say it really helps w/ hunger & cravings. I haven't tried either one...but will prolly look in to them when I get to P3/P4 & goal.

[christyb]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Happy Monday ladies!! I went back and posted a link for this thread. Thanks for getting us rolling Reddy!! In AZ it's just 11am right now .

Reddy-glad you did well w. the froyo!! Makes me feel like I'm indulging, but still the scale holds steady!! Win-win!!

Dbunny-it's all part of life. You'll do great w. your steak day and I'm sure you'll be well w.i. window tomorrow!!

Bonnie-you'll be able to whittle down a few lbs in P4, I'm sure. At least I hope so, I'd like to do the same!!

Well, after my nemesis Sweet T's yesterday, I am up a lb. But, I'm at the top of my window!! I can't believe it!! I was careful, but I ate out all weekend, somewhat controlled, but far from perfect!! I am thrilled!!! I won't do a CD b/c they aren't all that effective for me, but I'll be home today and eat well. I had my love Voskos w. strawberries for bfast, and coffee w. HWC and will likely have tuna salad stuffed tomatoes for lunch. Dinner may be stirfry, may be steak, may be tacos. But, whatever it is, I'll try to listen to hunger and look forward to being down a bit tomorrow!! I am so thankful for where I am right now. I totally give God all the glory for helping me lose, and stabilize!! It's quite a novel place to be. At goal weight and eating well, and able to maintain!! Couldn't be happier!!

Julie! I am so happy for you! I think it is awesome that you are stabilizing and still eating things you love! That's the way it is supposed to be (IMHO)!! Keep following your hunger and you'll do awesome!

Truly guys, I can't say enough about following the advice in Weight Loss Apocalypse. I've been in P4 for a week and a half and it has just amazed me. I have eaten all the foods that I would normally consider "bad," (french fries, chinese food, real ice cream, potato chips) only when I'm hungry, and I've stayed within my window. In addition, though my weight stayed the same because you retain water when you add carbs, I have lost another 5 pounds of fat since starting P3. To me it is nothing short of a miracle!

There is still a part of me that is kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. But overall I am just thrilled! I want this for everyone!

I'm looking forward to another P2 (well the weight loss part, not the boring food part!)! I'm going to ask my doctor about skipping a dose a week to see if it will allow me to have a longer round than last time. Has this worked for anyone doing RX?

[Reddy]

Angela, thanks for the recommendation! They really do work! They are going to be especially useful in P4! I don't think I'd need them in P2 since I wasn't hungry in P2.

[julieboolie]

Reddy-glad they're working for you! I'm doing pretty well w. the appetite, but will keep that in mind. I was really hungry that first week, but doing better lately!!

Christy-that's such a good report!! Love the thought of carbs w.o gaining!! I'm excited for you!! It's really working well!! Hope your subsequent rounds go well too!!

Cocoa-hope this is your best round ever!! Keep checking on us .

Bonnie-I hear ya on the limits to willpower!! I'm not that hungry which is nice. I certainly have an appetite, but there's a nice contentment to it. Not sure how else to describe it.

Doing well. Coming in about 1800 cals today, 53% fat 23% carb 24% protein. That's about where I've been this past week (higher cals over the weekend). I'd love to see the scale go down a bit tomorrow, just for some room. But, in all, I have zero complaints!!

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by christyb

Julie! I am so happy for you! I think it is awesome that you are stabilizing and still eating things you love! That's the way it is supposed to be (IMHO)!! Keep following your hunger and you'll do awesome!

Truly guys, I can't say enough about following the advice in Weight Loss Apocalypse. I've been in P4 for a week and a half and it has just amazed me. I have eaten all the foods that I would normally consider "bad," (french fries, chinese food, real ice cream, potato chips) only when I'm hungry, and I've stayed within my window. In addition, though my weight stayed the same because you retain water when you add carbs, I have lost another 5 pounds of fat since starting P3. To me it is nothing short of a miracle!

There is still a part of me that is kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. But overall I am just thrilled! I want this for everyone!

I'm looking forward to another P2 (well the weight loss part, not the boring food part!)! I'm going to ask my doctor about skipping a dose a week to see if it will allow me to have a longer round than last time. Has this worked for anyone doing RX?

I used to skip Sundays on RX, but that was when I did 6 week rounds a long time ago. It did work. You might get a little hungrier on that day and it might pssoibly slow things down a little bit as far as weight loss is concerned.
When it comes to immunity, I've read that theres no need to worry about it at all... I mean have you really ever heard of anyone becoming immune to hcg?I wonder what that book you have says about it. I think that I will go get a copy just cause stabilization is really the key to sucess with this WOE.

[julieboolie]

Hello? <crickets> Where are all my P3/P4 peeps? Let's rock this maintenance stabilzation thing!! This part is as important (and challenging) as P2!! Let's go girls!!

I start P4 Friday or Saturday. Hummus may be on the menu. I'm also looking forward to some sweet potato, maybe a few fries. I'm not that anxious for sugary stuff. My froyo has already been added successfully in P3 and that's my treat of choice!! The rest is all gravy

I STS today, which is a bit disappointing. I'm still at the upper edge of my window. I'd rather be closer to LDW, but in is in . I'll shoot for a "lighter day" today and hope for a bit of wiggle room. If DMIL wasn't here I'd do a Cd. (even though I know I'm not out of my window!!) I would like to settle a bit lower in the 140's, but it's all stable in my book. Once I'm into P4 I will be able to breathe more deeply. I feel like I'm holding my breath a bit still.

I am also pleasantly surprised to see my temps are up today!! I was 97.7 today!! That's back where I was during my refeed RRARFing . I'm thrilled!! I think the froyo and added carbs must be helping. I'm burning!! Woo-hoo!! This is HUGE for me!! Stable weight, almost "normal" body temps. If I didn't know better, I'd say I'm healthy . Yay God!!

[Reddy]

Crazy day here but yay Christy for doing so well in P4!!! I hope I can do well in P4! I may cut it short about 5 days and start another round but the day I hit p4 is my sons 1st (and my 32nd is the next day) so I'll be starting P4 on a not so great note bc I will be eating liberally to include alcohol, cake etc! Eek scary!

Julie you are doing fantastic and sound like you really have a good balance going! Your positive energy comes through in your posts!
I thought the in laws were gone?

I am Holding at .6 over LIW and have been for 3 days. I thouht yesterday not eating as much would help me on the scale but I think I'm retaining water and ToM will be here in a few days. Yuck!

Ok gotta run!
More later!

[Bitsky]

hello all,

been away a while. It's my 2nd-3rd week of P4 and last month and this month I had a bit of spotting before my TOM and then for my actual TOM there is nothing. My periods have always been light due to the pill, sometimes only lasting for a day but I've never experieinced spotting before and I've been on the pill for at least 15 years. I thought maybe since doing the HCG diet there was just a change in my body but I was told by a reliable source that by now the HCG is long gone from by system so it has nothing to do with it. Of course I've been reading about 'spotting' online and scaring myself silly. I did a pregnancy test this morning and eliminated that possiblity. So now it's either a serious health concern or possibly early menopase (I'll be 33 next month) then in the same breath they say it could also be nothing... I was wondering if anyone else has had 'changes' in their TOM?
I don't have the best relationship with my DR and I'm in the process of trying to find a new one. I'm sure my DR thinks I'm a hyphchondriac, I was recently in because of some concerns I had (to me I had valid concerns,) the tests came back normal. Still doesn't explain why I have certain symptoms but I guess I just have to live with it. But anyhow, now I'm afraid to go back in concerned about something else, I just hate her attitude towards me. I need to know if this 'spotting' is anything to be concerned about or if it's common among HCG'rs.
thanks all

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Originally Posted by Bitsky

hello all,

been away a while. It's my 2nd-3rd week of P4 and last month and this month I had a bit of spotting before my TOM and then for my actual TOM there is nothing. My periods have always been light due to the pill, sometimes only lasting for a day but I've never experieinced spotting before and I've been on the pill for at least 15 years. I thought maybe since doing the HCG diet there was just a change in my body but I was told by a reliable source that by now the HCG is long gone from by system so it has nothing to do with it. Of course I've been reading about 'spotting' online and scaring myself silly. I did a pregnancy test this morning and eliminated that possiblity. So now it's either a serious health concern or possibly early menopase (I'll be 33 next month) then in the same breath they say it could also be nothing... I was wondering if anyone else has had 'changes' in their TOM?
I don't have the best relationship with my DR and I'm in the process of trying to find a new one. I'm sure my DR thinks I'm a hyphchondriac, I was recently in because of some concerns I had (to me I had valid concerns,) the tests came back normal. Still doesn't explain why I have certain symptoms but I guess I just have to live with it. But anyhow, now I'm afraid to go back in concerned about something else, I just hate her attitude towards me. I need to know if this 'spotting' is anything to be concerned about or if it's common among HCG'rs.
thanks all

Chances are...it's partly due to the HCG, change of diet, and loss of weight. Even though you don't have traces of HCG now...you had it before, and your body may have adjusted to it. If it continues during the next couple of months...then I'd say it's something else. I am usually super-regular(28 days exactly)...and with the large amount of weight-loss & the small amount of HCG...I have been 2-3 days early, been 1 1/2 weeks late, etc. So, it can affect it a bit...IMHO.

[christyb]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

I used to skip Sundays on RX, but that was when I did 6 week rounds a long time ago. It did work. You might get a little hungrier on that day and it might pssoibly slow things down a little bit as far as weight loss is concerned.
When it comes to immunity, I've read that theres no need to worry about it at all... I mean have you really ever heard of anyone becoming immune to hcg?I wonder what that book you have says about it. I think that I will go get a copy just cause stabilization is really the key to sucess with this WOE.

Dr. Simeons talks about immunity and my doctor did as well. My understanding (which may be off) is that after a period of time your body starts to break it down more efficiently and that's when hunger starts coming back and you start burning normal fat instead of abnormal. My body started to do that in my last round, unfortunately. I'll have to look in WLA to see what she says about it. I don't remember.

Immunity to HCG
The reason for limiting a course to 40 injections is that by then some patients may begin to show signs of HCG immunity. Though this phenomenon is well known, we cannot as yet define the underlying mechanism. Maybe after a certain length of time the body learns to break down and eliminate HCG very rapidly, or possibly prolonged treatment leads to some sort of (ouncrregulation which annuls the dencepbahic effect.

After 40 daily injections it takes about six weeks before this so called immunity is lost and HCG again becomes fully effective. Usually after about 40 injections patients may feel the onset of immunity as hunger which was previously absent. In those comparatively rare cases in which signs of immunity develop before the full course of 40 injections has been completed-say at the 35th injection- treatment must he stopped at once, because if it is continued the patients begin to look weary and drawn, feel
weak and hungry and any further loss of weight achieved is then always at the expense of normal fat. This is not only undesirable, but normal fat is also instantly regained as soon as the patient is returned to a free diet.

Patients who need only 23 injections may be injected daily, including Sundays, as they never develop immunity. In those that take 40 injections the onset of immunity can be delayed if they are given only six injections a week, leaving out Sundays or any other day they choose, provided that it is always the same day. On the days on which they do not receive the injections they usually feel a slight sensation of hunger. At first we thought that this might be purely psychological, but we found that when normal
saline is injected without the patient’s knowledge the same phenomenon occurs.

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Hello? <crickets> Where are all my P3/P4 peeps? Let's rock this maintenance stabilzation thing!! This part is as important (and challenging) as P2!! Let's go girls!!

I start P4 Friday or Saturday. Hummus may be on the menu. I'm also looking forward to some sweet potato, maybe a few fries. I'm not that anxious for sugary stuff. My froyo has already been added successfully in P3 and that's my treat of choice!! The rest is all gravy

I STS today, which is a bit disappointing. I'm still at the upper edge of my window. I'd rather be closer to LDW, but in is in . I'll shoot for a "lighter day" today and hope for a bit of wiggle room. If DMIL wasn't here I'd do a Cd. (even though I know I'm not out of my window!!) I would like to settle a bit lower in the 140's, but it's all stable in my book. Once I'm into P4 I will be able to breathe more deeply. I feel like I'm holding my breath a bit still.

I am also pleasantly surprised to see my temps are up today!! I was 97.7 today!! That's back where I was during my refeed RRARFing . I'm thrilled!! I think the froyo and added carbs must be helping. I'm burning!! Woo-hoo!! This is HUGE for me!! Stable weight, almost "normal" body temps. If I didn't know better, I'd say I'm healthy . Yay God!!

Curious what the temperatures mean? I've seen you talk about RRARFing, but I'm not familiar with the temps.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by Reddy

Crazy day here but yay Christy for doing so well in P4!!! I hope I can do well in P4! I may cut it short about 5 days and start another round but the day I hit p4 is my sons 1st (and my 32nd is the next day) so I'll be starting P4 on a not so great note bc I will be eating liberally to include alcohol, cake etc! Eek scary!

Julie you are doing fantastic and sound like you really have a good balance going! Your positive energy comes through in your posts!
I thought the in laws were gone?

I am Holding at .6 over LIW and have been for 3 days. I thouht yesterday not eating as much would help me on the scale but I think I'm retaining water and ToM will be here in a few days. Yuck!

Ok gotta run!
More later!

FIL went home (yay!!) but MIL is still here until Fri. She's easy and enjoyable, but watches every little thing I do!! That will quite a fun way to enter P4!! Maybe try to eat less during the day so you can enjoy the evening more? There are always CD options.

Originally Posted by Bitsky

hello all,

been away a while. It's my 2nd-3rd week of P4 and last month and this month I had a bit of spotting before my TOM and then for my actual TOM there is nothing. My periods have always been light due to the pill, sometimes only lasting for a day but I've never experieinced spotting before and I've been on the pill for at least 15 years. I thought maybe since doing the HCG diet there was just a change in my body but I was told by a reliable source that by now the HCG is long gone from by system so it has nothing to do with it. Of course I've been reading about 'spotting' online and scaring myself silly. I did a pregnancy test this morning and eliminated that possiblity. So now it's either a serious health concern or possibly early menopase (I'll be 33 next month) then in the same breath they say it could also be nothing... I was wondering if anyone else has had 'changes' in their TOM?
I don't have the best relationship with my DR and I'm in the process of trying to find a new one. I'm sure my DR thinks I'm a hyphchondriac, I was recently in because of some concerns I had (to me I had valid concerns,) the tests came back normal. Still doesn't explain why I have certain symptoms but I guess I just have to live with it. But anyhow, now I'm afraid to go back in concerned about something else, I just hate her attitude towards me. I need to know if this 'spotting' is anything to be concerned about or if it's common among HCG'rs.
thanks all

I wouldn't worry about it at all!! My TOM get really messed up after hcg. Came early for many months, then finally got straightened out. Some spotting in lieu of your TOM is normal, esp while on the pill. They're duking it out in there!! Skip the Dr and give it a few more months. Nothing to worry about.

Plugging away. Started school w. my kids this week which means less "me" time. I won't be online as much but I'm still fighting the good fight and will post when I can!!

[bkm]

Originally Posted by Bitsky

hello all,

been away a while. It's my 2nd-3rd week of P4 and last month and this month I had a bit of spotting before my TOM and then for my actual TOM there is nothing. My periods have always been light due to the pill, sometimes only lasting for a day but I've never experieinced spotting before and I've been on the pill for at least 15 years. I thought maybe since doing the HCG diet there was just a change in my body but I was told by a reliable source that by now the HCG is long gone from by system so it has nothing to do with it. Of course I've been reading about 'spotting' online and scaring myself silly. I did a pregnancy test this morning and eliminated that possiblity. So now it's either a serious health concern or possibly early menopase (I'll be 33 next month) then in the same breath they say it could also be nothing... I was wondering if anyone else has had 'changes' in their TOM?
I don't have the best relationship with my DR and I'm in the process of trying to find a new one. I'm sure my DR thinks I'm a hyphchondriac, I was recently in because of some concerns I had (to me I had valid concerns,) the tests came back normal. Still doesn't explain why I have certain symptoms but I guess I just have to live with it. But anyhow, now I'm afraid to go back in concerned about something else, I just hate her attitude towards me. I need to know if this 'spotting' is anything to be concerned about or if it's common among HCG'rs.
thanks all

I have no idea about menstrual cycles and hcg (I'm 68 years old, that part of life is long over for me!) - however, my advice to you is FIRE YOUR DOCTOR! and do it now!

Many doctors (in my opinion) tend to pigeonhole people/symptoms - and when a scenario doesn't fit their preconceived notions they write you off ... there are doctors out there who look beyond a computer readout of possible problems as related to symptoms - find one!

My 27-year-old daughter has had bad doctors/incorrect diagnoses, and was labeled psychotic and hypochondriac - she finally found a doctor who discovered severe PCOS, a badly-inflamed gallbladder (which is being surgically removed tomorrow), and IBS - she's gradually getting better, her symptoms were REAL, they just didn't fit her first doctor's narrow view. Some of what she has many doctors feel isn't "real" - well, her pain was very real and the treatment is alleviating it.

So anyway, my rant for the day - good luck and don't "just live with" discomfort/pain!

[manders]

Hey ladies.

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by Bitsky

hello all,

been away a while. It's my 2nd-3rd week of P4 and last month and this month I had a bit of spotting before my TOM and then for my actual TOM there is nothing. My periods have always been light due to the pill, sometimes only lasting for a day but I've never experieinced spotting before and I've been on the pill for at least 15 years. I thought maybe since doing the HCG diet there was just a change in my body but I was told by a reliable source that by now the HCG is long gone from by system so it has nothing to do with it. Of course I've been reading about 'spotting' online and scaring myself silly. I did a pregnancy test this morning and eliminated that possiblity. So now it's either a serious health concern or possibly early menopase (I'll be 33 next month) then in the same breath they say it could also be nothing... I was wondering if anyone else has had 'changes' in their TOM?
I don't have the best relationship with my DR and I'm in the process of trying to find a new one. I'm sure my DR thinks I'm a hyphchondriac, I was recently in because of some concerns I had (to me I had valid concerns,) the tests came back normal. Still doesn't explain why I have certain symptoms but I guess I just have to live with it. But anyhow, now I'm afraid to go back in concerned about something else, I just hate her attitude towards me. I need to know if this 'spotting' is anything to be concerned about or if it's common among HCG'rs.
thanks all

It totally messed with my cycle, and I'm on the pill continuously so I never get a period at all..... and I still spotted for like 3 weeks and had to get off p2... it went back to normal after that tho.

[Bitsky]

Thank you everyone for the info. I will calm myself and see how things go for the next couple of months with my TOM. I am going to try my best to find a new DR. There's nothing worse that being afraid to go to your DR with a health concern because you're going to be treated like you're foolishly overreacting.

[Reddy]

Hey Manders.. How is it going????

I just had a big cheat and I feel terribly guilty!

I just made a batch of cupcakes as a trial run for my sons bday party next week bc I've never made cupcakes and I wanted to make sure they would taste alright.

Sure I could have relied ob DH to test them but no I tested. And not just a bite but a whole darn cupcake!


They were yummy so that's good for next week but how is it going to get me on the scale tomorrow?? ****!

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Originally Posted by manders

Hey ladies.

Hey Manders

Looks like you're "twitterpated"....