Newbie interested in hcg plan - ?s at the bottom if you want to skip my life story ;)

[riss]

I'm new here so I'll give some background info. I apologize in advance if this is way too long.

I'm one of those girls that hit puberty early and filled out way too soon. I was never comfortable in my own body b/c I always felt too heavy even though when I look at old pics I realize I was actually fine.

Near the end of college I gained about 20 lbs. Then I started working shift work and struggled to lose the extra weight but was able to with diet and exercise.

In my mid 20's I had my first miscarriage. After that I gained about 30 lbs. I figured between working shift work and poor diet/exercise that was the cause. Within a few years I had gained another 20 lbs. A friend and I decided to buddy up to lose. We joined a gym and a weight loss center. The weight loss plan was pretty much low carb and had protein supplements that you would add. My friend dropped a lot of weight and I continued to struggle.

I started having a lot of health issues. I was tired all the time, had crazy heart palptitations, and eventually started having spells where I would pass out. After several tests I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The annoying thing about that was for several years before that my bloodwork results at work would show items being out of range. One year there were 3 items all related to thyroid that were out but when I asked the work doctor he indicated it was b/c I was on birth control pills and nothing to worry about.

My doc started me on Levoxyl and I hoped that maybe I would finally be able to lose the weight. I did the 2 week induction for Atkins and was so disgusted b/c at the end I was only down 1/2 a pound! My doc indicated that once they got the dosage right for the meds it would help halt the gain but that only diet and exercise would take off the pounds. I went through several adjustments to the meds. I kept hoping that the meds would make me feel better and have more energy but kept gaining weight. I also switched to a straight daylight job and hoped that would help.

In 2010 I had a second miscarriage. After that I went into a deep depression and had to go on meds. My doctor closely monitored my weight b/c I was so worried about gaining. I was very careful about my food choices and stayed pretty stable. However after I went off of the meds I quickly picked up another 20 lbs.

I had read information online about how Armour thyroid worked better for some folks. I tried to get my regular doc to switch me but they didn't want to. When I went for my annual gyn visit my doc checked my levels and when she called about switching my dosage again I requested to try the Armour. In the last 3 months since being on it I've been able to lose about 12 lbs.

My diet/exercise habits are far from ideal. My breakfast is usually yogurt and a banana. Lunch is usually grilled chicken either on a salad or a wrap. Dinner is where I don't do such a good job. By the time I get home most days I don't feel like fixing anything. Some evenings I'll heat up a frozen dinner and others I'll barely eat anything.

I have a friend from another forum that shared her weight loss experience with hcg and research brought me here. I've been diagnosed with PCOS now and I've read that this plan has helped some with that. I've been reading like crazy over the last week and I believe this might be the right choice for me.



I do have a few questions that it would be great if someone could help. I have a large amount of weight to lose so this will take several rounds.

I see that some folks do 3 week rounds and some do 6. I've noticed some even break it out into part 1 and part 2. What do you do in between part 1 and part 2?

I see that some use pellets, some use drops, and some use patches. Can someone whose tried the different types give some pros/cons of each?

It appears that several of the brands mentioned have been removed from the web sites. Can folks list the brand they're currently using?

Is it best to wait until the end of your monthly cycle to start this plan?

Thanks in advance for your insight

[shelbyla]

First of all, welcome to hcg-land! You'll find some amazing people on this site. Great support and lots of different options (not just hcg!).

Second, I COMPLETELY get what you have gone through (and are still going through!). I am hypo-thyroid, hypo-adrenal, and also supplement s#x hormones. If you have doubts about being hypoT and using hcg, lay those concerns to rest. I've lost 70 pounds on h/hcg over the last 18 months, while continuing to treat my conditions. It is the very BEST thing that I could have ever done for myself! I couldn't lose the weight any other way!

I will do my best to answer your questions below but I would highly recommend reading the original Pounds & Inches. Its boring but it really helpful to understand the basics. You can also browse a couple of stickie thread here on LCF that talk about the plan basic and tips and tricks for success. It is NOT an easy diet--but it is time-limited and effective. The best advice I can give you right up front is to understand the plan and make sure your head is in the right place to commit to a minimum round.

Here are the links...
HCG diet short form
TIPS FOR P2 OF DR. SIMEONS PROTOCOL

I would also encourage you to read Weight Loss Apocalypse and/or watch Robin's youtube videos. She has updated the science and the psychology of the original P&I and she has some great points that every dieter, hcg or not, needs to understand.

Originally Posted by riss

I do have a few questions that it would be great if someone could help. I have a large amount of weight to lose so this will take several rounds.

I see that some folks do 3 week rounds and some do 6. I've noticed some even break it out into part 1 and part 2. What do you do in between part 1 and part 2?

I see that some use pellets, some use drops, and some use patches. Can someone whose tried the different types give some pros/cons of each?

It appears that several of the brands mentioned have been removed from the web sites. Can folks list the brand they're currently using?

Is it best to wait until the end of your monthly cycle to start this plan?

Thanks in advance for your insight

Rounds of h/hcg last a minimum of 23 days and a maximum of 43 days. Some people do long and some do short. It all depends on how well you are losing and how you are feeling at day 23. You can do any number of days between 23 and 43 but you MUST do at least 23 days in a row WITH NO CHEATS for the plan to work.

If after 23 days, you would like to take a little break from the diet, you can take what is called a "planned interruption." A PI lasts a MAXIMUM of 14 days and you basically eat low carb during those days (again, NO starch, NO sugar) then go back to the diet. It is NOT really recommended to do during your first round. PIs can destabilize you and you may find yourself gaining weight back to the point where you took your PI.

I have done hhCG oral drops, hhCG pellets, a mix of drops and pellets, and rx injections. Oral drops and pellets are similar in that you dose a minimum of 3x per day. You put both under your tongue and hold for about 2 mins. As you might expect, it's a little easier to hold pellets under your tongue and still talk so some people like them for that reason. It's also a little easier to take the pellets inconspicuously, such as at work. Both drops and pellets cannot be taken within 20 minutes o eating or drinking. With homeopathic hCG (hhcg), you can't eat or use beauty products with mint, camphor, or tea tree oil (they make the homeopathic less effective). With rx, you inject a solution with very small needles once per day and don't have the issues with mint, etc. Of course, there are needles involved as well as mixing the solution, neither of which is popular with some people. I personally have no issues with needles so I choose the rx.

If you choose homeopathic, Intermountain is a brand that is still available as is YourHCG.

It's nice to wait until the end of your cycle to start but not critical. The recommendation originally came from P&I and the rx administration, which also recommends skipping doses during your period. If you choose homeopathic, most people do not skip doses. If you decide to start and THEN get your period (which happens sometimes because the hcg and weight loss in general can seriously mess with your cycle), you may see a minor weight gain or stall during your TOM. It usually comes off when TOM is over.

HTH!

[julieboolie]

Shelby has covered it all! So I'll add " to her post and say ! I was a huge skeptic, am hypothyroid and have lost about 40lbs w/ Hcg .

[riss]

Thanks so much for the welcome and the information. I've read pounds and inches and both of the threads that were listed. I still have to read the Weight Loss Apocalypse.

I'm either going to start with loading this coming weekend or else wait until after my period. It should be here by then but since my cycles are so whack anyway it's hard to know.

I just feel that nothing else has worked and the time is now. It looks like there is a great group of folks on here who have been down this path and so much support. I'm so tired of being so hormonally imbalanced and I'm hoping this can help me get things set back to something more normal.

[julieboolie]

There is a lovely supportive group here. Come joing in the weekly threads.

I recommend loading your last 2 days of TOM and then starting. The scale will bounce on TOM and that'll discourage you. Just my $0.02.

[HappyChick]

Originally Posted by riss

Thanks so much for the welcome and the information. I've read pounds and inches and both of the threads that were listed. I still have to read the Weight Loss Apocalypse.

I'm either going to start with loading this coming weekend or else wait until after my period. It should be here by then but since my cycles are so whack anyway it's hard to know.

I just feel that nothing else has worked and the time is now. It looks like there is a great group of folks on here who have been down this path and so much support. I'm so tired of being so hormonally imbalanced and I'm hoping this can help me get things set back to something more normal.

Hello- and Welcome!!

I'm no hCG pro (getting there tho! =) but I did want to chime in here. I have had Hashimoto's since my son was born- 24 years ago... believe me, I feel your pain and disgust in dealing with hypothyroidism and all that it entails. I just want to say- hhCG is the first and only thing that has helped me shake this weight loose!! It is like a little miracle in a dropper. All the YEARS of exercising, dieting, starving, cardio, weight lifting etc has done nothing compared to my last 38 days!!

I'm using homeopathic drops, two different formulas- one with a concentration of 12x 30x 60x and the other, a Triple Dose version, at 6x. (I just opened the former and am using it in the final days of this round- will resume in a few weeks for round 2.. I'll let you all know if there's any difference)

It's been my understanding that the good doctor allowed the protocol to be used for 40 days or 34 pounds lost, whichever came first. Then stabilization, then maintenance, and then finally into the next round, if needed. As Shelby pointed out- his protocol used rx injections. There doesn't seem to be immunity issues with homeopathic and many of us choose to do a round, stabilize for 2-3 weeks, and then go right into another round.

I've had no adverse reactions and have found the protocol to be quite pleasant despite a couple of days of boredom and minor hunger. My thyroid panel looks good, too!

I wish you the same, and better!, results on your journey!!

You've definitely come to the right place...

[buttah]

I am planning on loading tomorrow! I have about 24 more lbs to lose, so I'm going to see how it goes and possibly do a 40 day round.

Here's my question. At 55, I still get my TOM, but usually every 4-6 weeks. Wouldn't you know this time it's long overdue (8 weeks +), but at this age, I really have no idea when it will come. Judging my ovulatory symptoms I won't go into, it should come any minute. But it may not.

Should I wait a bit longer, in hopes of seeing and getting TOM out of the way?

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by buttah

I am planning on loading tomorrow! I have about 24 more lbs to lose, so I'm going to see how it goes and possibly do a 40 day round.

Here's my question. At 55, I still get my TOM, but usually every 4-6 weeks. Wouldn't you know this time it's long overdue (8 weeks +), but at this age, I really have no idea when it will come. Judging my ovulatory symptoms I won't go into, it should come any minute. But it may not.

Should I wait a bit longer, in hopes of seeing and getting TOM out of the way?

I really wouldn't. It's actually kind of nice to load DURING the PMS/TOM munchie phase. Your cycle will probably be a little wacky anyway when you start. It really does happen with any diet.

[riss]

I'm torn about whether to start this weekend with loading or wait until my period gets here and then load.

If I can start this weekend I can end the 40 day cycle around my birthday in October. It would feel great to have some weight off by then.

Once you make it through the first P2 round is P3 minimum 3 or 6 weeks? Do you skip P4and go straight back to P2 for multiple rounds?

I want to plan this out as far ahead as I can

[shelbyla]

Riss - have you decided on homeopathic or rx? In either case for your first round, I really would encourage you to do a FULL P3/P4 (3 weeks of P3 and 3 weeks of P4). The stabilization phase is as important as the losing phase, if not more so. It gives your body a chance to recover from near-protein deprivation and your skin a chance to tighten up, dramatically (which you often need with the rapid weight loss).

After you get through your first full round, IF YOU ARE DOING HOMEOPATHIC, you might consider skipping P4 and "cycling" for subsequent rounds (going from P2 to P3 and back to P2). You could also do "planned interruptions" to eek out a little more time--do 23+ doses of hhCG, take a 3-14 day P3 break, then go back to P2 for as long as you can stand.

I wouldn't recommend cycling with the rx, as you can develop immunity to the product. You CAN take PIs with the rx, you just can only go for a total of 42 doses before and after your PI, for the same reason--immunity.

ETA: I'm an October birthday too!

[riss]

I ordered the intermountain pellets so hopefully those are a good choice. I think I've decided to do the 40 day P2 followed by 3 weeks of P3 and then see how I feel at that point.

[christyb]

Just wanted to encourage you that this can be done while hypothyroid. I have Hashimoto's, so I'm hypo. I also have severe adrenal fatigue, anemia and a number of other problems. My doctor who treats me for all of these things put me on the program. So I know it is safe to do with all of these issues (as long as they are being treated and relatively under control). I lost 22 pounds during my first round (26 days total). I am about a week into my second round and down about 6 pounds so far.

I would advise sticking as close to the original protocol as possible. This is just my opinion, but even on hHCG immunity can be an issue (some will disagree, but I have seen it happen to several people). It seems that the people who stabilize the best and are successful at keeping the weight off are the ones who stick to protocol like glue.

Good luck to you!

[riss]

Thanks so much for all the encouragement. I'm anxious to get started, wishing my period would just get here already

I read the book 'the best diet you have never heard of' about the 800 calorie protocol and I'm hoping to finish up 'weight loss apocalypse' tonight.

I've made my grocery shopping list for tomorrow so I can get the items from the protocol. Plus I've been digging through the recipe section to add a few things to do some recipe planning.

So I ordered pellets b/c I think those will work better for me. I take sublingual B12 in the mornings along with my thyroid med and probiotics. Then I take a multivitamin and calcium before bed. I've had to take iron in the past for anemia and magnesium for leg cramps but am not currently taking them. My doc told me in the past not to take iron and calcium at the same time b/c I wouldn't absorb both and also recommended drinking orange juice with the iron for better absorption.

Now I'm trying to figure out what additional supplements I need to take and what adjustments I need to make and when the best time to take them will be. A friend had indicated she had to take iron when she was on this plan. I see some people mention biotin and I know there is a small amount of that in my B12 but I'm wondering if it's enough.

[christyb]

I'll be interested in how the 800 calorie protocol works for you. I think if you're following the hunger scale you might be surprised. Some days I'm not even eating to 500. Blows my mind, really!

[riss]

I'm going to do my first round with the 500 calorie plan but was interested in reading about the other options. It seems like some folks do more of a 750-800 plan and still have good results. I want to keep to the strict protocol the first time around though and hope to max out on the loss.

I have days now where I eat few calories but I don't think it helps me lose any weight. Hopefully the hcg will be what I need to make a difference.

[christyb]

It will! It totally works! Enjoy watching the fat fall off!!

[C'Marie]

Welcome and good luck!

IMHO you may want to use your magnesium and also consider potassium. I get bad muscle cramps on 500 calories.

[riss]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Welcome and good luck!

IMHO you may want to use your magnesium and also consider potassium. I get bad muscle cramps on 500 calories.

I was wondering about that. Since I already have issues with leg cramps I probably should keep up the magnesium. I try to eat bananas every day but since I can't have those on protocol I'll need to compensate somehow. I don't get them all the time but when they do come it's usually in the middle of the night and they can last for days.