New Years Starters???

[dooy]

WOW, Liz! I've had some headachy stuff going on, too but didn't relate it to the hcg. Good to know! Wishing you well this round!

[tntopo]

About 18mos ago I lost 80lbs on HCG and couldn't have been happier. I started to do the atkins phase after the vlcd and it lasted a few days and before I knew it I was back to my old habits. As good as I looked and as good as I felt, I just let it creep back up again.

I learned a very good lesson about HCG diet, and that is how important it is to go thru the phases.

I am starting my vlcd today and just weighed myself it never ceases to amaze me how fast I gain weight. I was weighed at the doctors office three weeks ago at 266 clothed, and weighed myself this morning at 279. Yikes this has thoroughly bummed me out. Why do I gain so fast?

I have several strikes against me which most folks do, my age, and my mental and physical status but I can't let that beat me down its time for me to take control again.

[Jazzy1]

Well, I stopped JUDDing today, although it is difficult. My appetite is completely gone.
It doesn't help that I do not have any high calorie foods in the house either. I have apples and carrots to snack on.
Going to try to eat higher calories this next week, and am having people over next Sunday after church for our Bible study. I will feed everyone chilli and maybe make some red velvet cake balls, or maybe chocolate oreo bark. If I get my drops soon, I can use Sunday as one of my loading days.
It doesn't help that my husband eats very little after having gastric bypass.
Ive read different opinions on loading. Some people say to try to eat high protein, some say to eat everything but the kitchen sink.
Does it make a difference?

[Kimberque]

TNTPO - I like your fighting spirit. You can do it. I am sorry that you gain so fast. My sister used to tease me that she could eat all the cupcakes she wanted and not gain a pound, and I would just smell them and gain 5 pounds. It was true!

I can tell you that doing the phases is important and does help reset the metabolism to keep the weight off. It has been a battle even with the reset metabolism. Sometimes I get tired of thinking about it every day, and just want to eat and not care. Then, other days, I want the control this diet teaches. I've learned when I finish the round, I can have a piece of cake and eat it, too. Hopefully, I will find it won't budge the scale.

[Kimberque]

Jazzy1,

I've heard it is high fat you should focus on. I could be wrong though. Would you please eat a Sonic footlong chili cheese dog for me?? Throw some onions, pickles and mustard on it, too. mnnnn I wish I had never read those blogs on re-feeding days. Everyday, I say....maybe I need to refeed.

[Jazzy1]

Kimberque,
Sorry. I didn't mean to cause any cravings. I realized I might have done that after I posted it. Ive been wondering exactly what you answered..high fat, carbs, protein? Should we eat foods we wont be able to have for a long time? See the idea of a hotdog or sausage does not appeal to me at all. I can live without those for the rest of my life. Im more of a sweets or doritos kinda gal.

[Kimberque]

Some of the blogs talk about high fatty foods being the most imporant ones during loading. Several people have done low carb, high fat loads. Since I am an all or nothing kind of gal, I ate all my favorite foods (mostly eating out). Ice-cream, cheese, nuts...chocolate and more chocolate. Oh, I forgot to mention mexican food. I have to stop remembering now, though. I just spent the last hour reading the 33 pages on the fat fasting group and I don't want break protocol this early in my round.

[buttah]

Loading is about fat content. According to all my research, the doc my prescription HCG clinic and Robin Woodall, author of Weight Loss Apocalypse. And according to Simeons.

It's fat stores that you're trying to load up. No body needs sugar, flour and potatoes, etc, and the HCG diet doesn't require loading with that either. If you really feel you need to have them "so you don't miss them," then by all means, this is the time to have them. However, this "last hurrah" way of thinking makes NO sense to me - I've had a lifetime of last hurrah's. That's what got me here. When I'm beginning a round, I want get right to LOSING old pounds, not new ones.

If you skip the carbs, you will gain little to nothing. I ate high protein, healthy veggies, high fat (not even a fruit), to capacity this time (second round) and only gained about .8 - .9. Less than a pound. I had tons of full fat yogurt, nuts, butter, cream, bacon, chicken with skin, etc. I had Mexican food but no tortilla or beans. Loaded up on the cheese and guac! There's another member here who LOST weight during her load (private diva).

My first time I tried to stick to high fat and protein, but I caved and had some breaded fried chicken and some donuts. Gained about 3.5 lbs - not bad, but I also don't think I loaded enough fat, as I was hungry in the beginning. And part of the reason for that is that carbs, especially if you've been limiting them prior, grow yeast in your system that wants to feed on MORE carbs. Hence carb cravings.

Anyway, that's my two cents, and the cents of many others who've been around these parts far longer than I have.

[Boosya]

Okay, I will try posting on this thread, maybe you guys will be more welcoming. I posted in the P2 thread, but I guess they have a pretty tight-knit group........

Hi everyone,

I'm getting back on P2 today. I was initially going to wait until the end of the month, but I am so extremely uncomfortable in my skin that I can't wait. Also, at my office, we are doing a Biggest Loser contest which will begin on the 15th, but I am embarrassed to get on the scale and have someone see my weight as is right now .... So here I am.

I am hoping I can actively post, and this will keep me on track. I did two successful rounds in 2011, and kept most of the weight loss (30 pounds) off, but completely screwed up when October came around and there was Halloween candy all around me at my workplace. Since October, I have gained a good 10-15 pounds. I have started numerous rounds after the first two (lost count at this point), but I keep derailing. I do really good for about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks, and then I hit a brick wall. Maybe this time, when I feel myself going wayward, I can come here and get back on track!

Good luck to everyone, I hope to get to know you guys better !!!

[Lbibclc]

I also gain weight by looking at food. I have to admit a lot of my issues are portion control and eating when I'm not hungry. I was down 90 pounds and gained 50 back in a year and a half. I really pushed to lose weight for my daughters wedding and then started eating everything.

Load with as much fat as you can.

There are many different protocols for the VLCD phase. 500-1200 calories, allowing diet soda, broccoli, tuna etc. I feel like the most important thing and the hardest thing is the next phase. That's what so good about this forum is we can all learn from others experiences.

[buttah]

Welcome, boosya! Both here AND in the P2 thread. I'm sure nobody meant to ignore you!

[Boosya]

I'm sure you're right buttah. I've been a big-time lurker on Low Carb Friends for so many years (see my join date), and maybe it was just my inner 3-year-old coming out with a temper tantrum

Anyway, I'm glad to finally be posting. Hopefully it will help me stay on track this time, cause I certainly need it!!! Almost finished with my load day #1 (got a few more things I'd like to sneak in before bed). Looking forward to beginning my VLCD on Tuesday and start feeling better in my skin!!!

[Jazzy1]

Thanks Buttah. I will focus my attention on getting a lot of fat on my loading days when my HCG comes in.
I know I will have some foods I have avoided (ie chips or chocolate) because they have been a no-go for me for a few years.

Hi Boosya. This seems to be a friendly and helpful group. Good luck with your weight loss journey and please keep us informed as to your progress and struggles if you have any. I haven't started my loading days yet because I am waiting for my HCG to come in, but I am looking forward to it all.

[dooy]

Boosya! Wishing you well!

Finished load days with a 2.8 gain. Not bad. Very high fat. Day 1 VLCD NO hunger at all and had to force myself to finish the veggies. However, I was surprised at just how little 3.5 ounces of protein in the plate really is! Portion control...oy!

Day 2! Let's do this!

Have a great day everybody!

[LaraSuzz]

Day 6 of vlcd is going well... 11.8 down so far. dont get too excited most of it was loading. I know from experience that when I load heavy I loose more in the first week.

heres my menu...
hot tea with lemon and splenda
apple
200 grams chicken grilled with Frank's Red Hot sauce and pam
baby Spring Mix
apple with walden farms caramel sauce
1 breadstick
water
diet squirt

I usually dont eat the breadstick but I think it may help to stabilize in p3 when I dont have it at all.
24 days to go. hat doesnt seem bad. at that point I will decide what to do. =)
happy losing everyone =) Lara

[FatFatnomore]

Morning All!

Day 1 of loading for me today! Hoping to keep it mostly high fat/low carb, but I will allow a few of my favorites that I'll miss for the next month. Can't wait until Wednesday when I can actually start losing again!!

[dooy]

Lara - congrats! Are you eating the apple at breakfast? When I read the protocol it is lunch/dinner meals and I'm wondering if it is ok to eat the fruit in the morning?

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by dooy

Lara - congrats! Are you eating the apple at breakfast? When I read the protocol it is lunch/dinner meals and I'm wondering if it is ok to eat the fruit in the morning?

thanks dooy =) I am eating the apple at 1030am chicken and lettuce at 330.. I eat it all at one time to avoid having to buy two types of protein and its just more satisfying to make it at home.

and apple plus breadstick before 6pm. P&I says no breakfast, not sure why...
but I stick to that rule.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

thanks dooy =) I am eating the apple at 1030am chicken and lettuce at 330 and apple plus breadstick before 6pm. P&I says no breakfast, not sure why...
but I stick to that rule.

Not sure why either. But he says you can split up the meals when you want. So you really can have the food at any times, just not mixing 2 fruits together, 2 breadsticks together. It really is confusing after a certain point

Having said that.........I do NOT suggest eating fruit first thing. Someone on another thread was wondering why she was sooo hungry all day. Turns out she had her strawberries for breakfast and then grazing on the apple all day. That much sugar without any fat or protein is not good for the blood sugar and makes you hungrier than having nothing at all. But then again, some have an apple for breakfast and do just fine. We are very individual and will have different reactions to everything on plan.

[LaraSuzz]

DBL POST

[dooy]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Not sure why either. But he says you can split up the meals when you want. So you really can have the food at any times, just not mixing 2 fruits together, 2 breadsticks together. It really is confusing after a certain point

Having said that.........I do NOT suggest eating fruit first thing. Someone on another thread was wondering why she was sooo hungry all day. Turns out she had her strawberries for breakfast and then grazing on the apple all day. That much sugar without any fat or protein is not good for the blood sugar and makes you hungrier than having nothing at all. But then again, some have an apple for breakfast and do just fine. We are very individual and will have different reactions to everything on plan.

Thanks Dawn. I'm really trying to stay to the letter of the law with this. I usually have busy mornings at work and would always have a protein shake. It's not that I was hungry this morning but a little queasy. It passed without me eating the apple. I had it about 11:30 though...so far, no sugar cravings. Taking my drops in a few minutes and eating lunch around 1:30ish.

I feel like I am floooooating with all this water!

[fiveninepointfive]

Originally Posted by Boosya

Okay, I will try posting on this thread, maybe you guys will be more welcoming. I posted in the P2 thread, but I guess they have a pretty tight-knit group........

Hi everyone,

I'm getting back on P2 today. I was initially going to wait until the end of the month, but I am so extremely uncomfortable in my skin that I can't wait. Also, at my office, we are doing a Biggest Loser contest which will begin on the 15th, but I am embarrassed to get on the scale and have someone see my weight as is right now .... So here I am.

I am hoping I can actively post, and this will keep me on track. I did two successful rounds in 2011, and kept most of the weight loss (30 pounds) off, but completely screwed up when October came around and there was Halloween candy all around me at my workplace. Since October, I have gained a good 10-15 pounds. I have started numerous rounds after the first two (lost count at this point), but I keep derailing. I do really good for about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks, and then I hit a brick wall. Maybe this time, when I feel myself going wayward, I can come here and get back on track!

Good luck to everyone, I hope to get to know you guys better !!!

It isn't easy, that's for sure. However, I did download Robin Woodall's book, Weight Loss Apocalypse, last night. I suggest you do the same. She will explain different behaviors and ways people do protocol. It sort of puts it before you and helps you see where you may tend to derail. I like the idea of using P2 as a sort of therapy. I think it will help me find strength to overcome emotional eating.
Good Luck!

[Lbibclc]

I just reread Robin Woodall's book last night too, lol. Very helpful and a different look at the process. She also has a lot of videos online.

[Shrinking]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Day 6 of vlcd is going well... 11.8 down so far. dont get too excited most of it was loading. I know from experience that when I load heavy I loose more in the first week.

heres my menu...
hot tea with lemon and splenda
apple
200 grams chicken grilled with Frank's Red Hot sauce and pam
baby Spring Mix
apple with walden farms caramel sauce
1 breadstick
water
diet squirt

I usually dont eat the breadstick but I think it may help to stabilize in p3 when I dont have it at all.
24 days to go. hat doesnt seem bad. at that point I will decide what to do. =)
happy losing everyone =) Lara

Thanks for posting the menu. Great ideas you have! I need some of that walden farms caramel sauce, yummmmmm!

[tntopo]

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new folks!! This is starting out to be a great thread.

Have a question for the experts here!!!

I have been looking at McCormicks seasoning mixes and some of them are only add water and the sugar is about 3/4 of the way down the list of ingredients would this be something I could use to marinade my meat and veggies in?

I also found packets with the roasting bags that are also just add water and sugar is way way down on the list on those too!!

If I was real savvy with spices I could make up my own marinades but unfortunately I am not.

What do you think?

[FatFatnomore]

Day 1 of loading done and I'm in pain.

I think I will have to eat much less tomorrow or else I might actually pop.

REALLY looking forward to vlcd1 on Wednesday.

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by tntopo

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new folks!! This is starting out to be a great thread.

Have a question for the experts here!!!

I have been looking at McCormicks seasoning mixes and some of them are only add water and the sugar is about 3/4 of the way down the list of ingredients would this be something I could use to marinade my meat and veggies in?

I also found packets with the roasting bags that are also just add water and sugar is way way down on the list on those too!!

If I was real savvy with spices I could make up my own marinades but unfortunately I am not.

What do you think?

Nope, it has sugar. Stay away from it. I like Chef Prudhommes Chicken and meat magic... um Old Bay Seasoning for fish...
read all labels... and watch for msg too. Penzeys spices are amazing and no sugar in most of their products even the BBQ seasoning...

Simeon's Protocol Recipes Only

Originally Posted by FatFatnomore

Day 1 of loading done and I'm in pain.

I think I will have to eat much less tomorrow or else I might actually pop.

REALLY looking forward to vlcd1 on Wednesday.

[Plane Losing]

I am back. I signed up to start the beginning of the year but family illness.... Today is R2 VLCD1 after a 3 day load. I was going to do two but my gf wanted to have one last pig out. She joined a gym competition. She felt she needed that one last day of piggy out before getting weighed in.

Ironically, I lost a pound from yesterday! LOL!! And when I say we pigged out... WE WERE IN PAIN from eating so much!

I am also going to try skipping one day a week. Does anyone have any issues when they do that? I dont want to get hungry, but I like the idea of it.

[janmarhen]

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year ! I've been lurking, but thought I'd say Hi ! I am using the pellets and am VLCD3. I am feeling a little hungry, mainly at night, but not too very bad....hoping it ends though, not sure I'll be able to stay strong !

I was wondering what the ladies to during TOM. My instructions say to stop taking the pellets but to continue with the VLCD during this time. Does anyone have experience in this area ?

Thanks !

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Plane Losing

I am back. I signed up to start the beginning of the year but family illness.... Today is R2 VLCD1 after a 3 day load. I was going to do two but my gf wanted to have one last pig out. She joined a gym competition. She felt she needed that one last day of piggy out before getting weighed in.

Ironically, I lost a pound from yesterday! LOL!! And when I say we pigged out... WE WERE IN PAIN from eating so much!

I am also going to try skipping one day a week. Does anyone have any issues when they do that? I dont want to get hungry, but I like the idea of it.

You must be doing the Rx then? I am using the homeopathic hcg and do NOT skip any of my VLCDs. I did one round and it was torture, pure torture that round.