Phase 2 Planned Interruption
 

Hi everyone!

I am currently in R1P2VLCD8 and I have a business trip scheduled in 12 days. I'm wondering if it would be better to continue on VLCD with injections up until I leave. Or should I stop the injections, continue VLCD for 3 days then do a couple days of P3 to stabilize before going on my trip?? There is 0 chance of trying to maintain P2 and a slight chance I can maintain P3 on my trip as most of the meals will be provided.

When I get back from my trip my plan is to jump right back into P2 and continue on as normal.

I posted this on another very by the book forum and the responses were all that I should try and stay on protocol through my trip.

I know protocol is allows for a planned interruption, I'm just trying to figure out what my timeline in the next week or so should be.

May I ask some questions?

How long is your business trip?
How much weight do you want to loose to goal?
Would you feel okay of you went off and went up 5 lbs?

Thanks for responding!

I'll be gone for 6 days (Tues - Mon).

I have another 12 pounds to get to my first tier goal. (That's what I'm calling it so I don't get discouraged trying to reach something so far away).

I would expect to go up 5 pounds, so yea I would be fine with that. I should've noted that half the trip is business, then I fly to another state for a mini vacay. On the vacation portion I would be able to manage my meals a little better than the business portion. During our meetings they will provide all the meals.

well since its almost impossible to inject while youre gone I would do the interruption but take your scale and dont go crazy. make good descisions...
you could eat a large breakfast off eggs bacon...
drink coffee with cream
do salads at night
stick with high protein and fat yadda yadda.

Ok great!! What about this week? Should I continue the injections up until the day I leave? Or should I goof them a few days before and try to stabilize?

PS. I think this forum is a bit more lenient than others I've been on. Everyone else has been saying to just stay on injections and the diet. Clearly impossible! Thanks!!

It actually IS possible in a number of ways, regardless of what they are feeding you. I've done it for a work conference--VERY challenging, no doubt about it, but I did it.

It is also possible to do a PI although it really isn't recommended until you've been on the diet for 20 effective doses--but I think you'll be really close so you may be ok. However, if you choose to go off, I would do the protocol transition to a PI. If you are on homeopathic it would be for 2 days, if on injections/rx 3 days.

Last two or three days before your trip - (VLCD18), VLCD19, VLCD20 - do not take your hCG but eat VLC.

While on your trip - eat as low carb/P3 as possible. Stay away from bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and starchy veggies (peas, carrots, etc.). If you MUST eat them (e.g. absolutely no way to avoid them), stick with things other than grains if you can. Rice, potatoes, and starchy veggies are less likely to cause issues than pasta or bread. Use the celiac excuse if you need to. Most of the time places must accommodate people who are gluten free.

When you get to your vacation - keep it no starches and no sugars. High fat, moderate protein, low carb. This will minimize your gain and may help undo some of the damage from the conference.

When you get back - jump back onto VLCD without loading and continue for AT LEAST a week (or more) to stabilize well. Transition off as normal.

HTH

Thank you thank you!! This is so helpful!