buttah's HCG journal.

[verbqueen]

Hooray! No hunger sounds great! And after week one, I did not have a loss every day, and that went for all the rounds I've done--at least five! So that's normal.

I'm mobbed this weekend, so if I don't drop by, it's not personal and I'll be back Sunday night or Monday!

[buttah]

Well, technically day 7 is still week one, but I hear you. I'm greedy. Have a great weekend!

[Stevie Renee]

Hi!

Interesting. I am not counting any calories this P2 round. I know the plan so I don't feel the need. I love how she added the egg. I did a lot of eggs round 1 two years ago and had no issues. I lost steady and felt fine. When I feel shakey or crazy hungry, an egg is my "go to" in case of emergency.

Excited that you have some answers and of course, slept well. Starving and trying to sleep don't work. Been there!

Are you going to continue to skype her?

[buttah]

Hi Stevie! Thanks for stopping by (although I embarrassed at all the neurosis I let hang in this joint, you know?).

Yes, I paid for 6 Skypes I think (don't have it in front of me).

I think I'm driving the personnel at my clinic nuts talking about Robin, but finding her was like a revelation for me (before I started HCG). The one time in my life that I lost and kept off weight (the extra 20 I had) was in my 20's with a Hunger Scale method (it was called Thin Within, in the SF Bay Area. Very similar, but none of the science.) And I stayed there until my pregnancies, which are what got me where I am today (or where I was back in February.)

Are you one of those who buys HCG on the internet and mixes and all that? That scares me to death, but... it is starting to get less scary.

How many rounds have you done?

[buttah]

Jessica, I just made your chill (I think it was yours - I have two on one page that are almost the same) with ground lean turkey. Added celery to bulk it up. So yummy.

[buttah]

8/30 - 169.5 LOAD DAY 1
8/31 - ??? LOAD DAY 2
9/01 - VLCD1 172.8 +3.3 after loading
9/02 - VLCD2 169.5 -3.3 (lost all of loading)
9/03 - VLCD3 167.1 -2.4 (-5.7 from load w)
9/04 - VLCD4 165.8 -1.3 (-6 from load w, 3.7 from pre-load)
9/05 - VLCD5 165.1 -0.7 (-4.4 from pre-load)
9/06 - VLCD6 164.1 -1.0 (-5.4 from pre-load)
9/07 - VLCD7 164.0 -.1 (-5.5 from pre-load) REALLY? (injected 125iu)
9/08 - VLCD8 163.0 -1.0 (-6.5 from pre-load) HAPPY

[buttah]

First, I have to report on last night. I didn't need dinner until 7pm and after I ate it, I never got hungry again!

Today...still feeling so much better (with the exception of waking up with a headache - more on that in a sec.) As I said, I injected 125iu yesterday and today (got my clinic to explain how much to squirt out of the pre-filled syringes they gave me), down from 150iu. I'm not sure if that's the reason I'm feeling better, but frankly my dear, who cares?

Today the clinic gave me 125iu syringes.

I did wake up this morning with a headache and knew coffee alone wasn't going to cut it, so again I had a half-yoke hard-boiled egg. I probably won't do that too often, at least not with the half-yoke, as it makes me a bit nervous. But for now, it doesn't seem to be hurting. I know the traditional protocol allows one egg + three whites as a protein occasionally, so I guess you could say I had just less than half a protein serving for breakfast. When I did it yesterday, I planning on was subtracting it it from my dinner, but I didn't - and I still ended up at 430-ish calories for the day. Which makes it a miracle that I felt okay till bedtime.

Anyway, tonight's going to be interesting. We're going to a party at 8pm that probably includes food, possibly even dinner. BUT I don't trust that food, have no idea what it will be, and usually can't wait that long anyway. So my plan is to eat my dinner before we go and stick an apple and/or some celery in my purse, just in case the bad hunger returns. My main concern isn't actually the food, it's not getting to bed early as I've been needing to due to hunger and fatigue.

But I'm so hoping that's over now.

[buttah]

The party was hard. Not being able to get in bed early was hard. Being surrounded by food (appetizer food) when I was honestly and legitimately once again HUNGRY (I'd had my 180 calorie dinner 3.5 hours earlier, and it seems like I'm ravenous every 2 - 2.5 hours still, except the night before last)... was HARD. I ate my apple. On the way home, at 11, when I'd normally be trying to fall asleep, I ate some cucumbers I'd brought.

I haven't checked my other measurements, but even with these recent losses my waist measurement has stayed the same, and honestly, my mid-section feels bloated. I wonder if I'm starving like one of those kids in the commercials, only a middle-aged overweight one. I wonder if this is normal, and if the critics are right.

Just took my third 125iu shot, and I pray the worst is over and days like the Friday will return and stay, but I don't know.

Another headache this morning. Haven't done my post-coffee/bathroom weigh yet, but my pre-one wasn't encouraging. Might have STS. Not worth it.

I want that half-yoke hard-boiled egg, but I really don't think I should have it all the time.

Going to see if the shot and coffee kick in, but honestly, shouldn't I be hungry? I'm not getting enough food!

Sorry for the rant, but it's honest.

Maybe the day will get better. But, again, it feels like I'm living on 500 calories and not 500 calories plus my fat.

[christyb]

Something isn't right if you're still feeling this way. The headache can be normal detox, mine lasts a good week or more. But you shouldn't be this hungry! Starting to wonder if you have a bad batch of HCG. I wonder if other patients at your clinic are having the same problem.

Don't give up totally! Hcg really does work and it can work for you!

When do you talk to Robin again? Could you become a patient of her clinic and start getting your HCG through her? Just a thought. . .

I feel you on the party. We had friends in from out of town yesterday. We all went out to dinner and the food looked delicious. I just sat there. Unfortunately, I let it get to me and it really put me in a bad mood. I can't imagine how much harder it would have been if I had been hungry like you were! That's just awful!

[sunday]

Hello Buttah,

I just found your journal! Congrats on your success this far!

I remember it was day 9 before my hunger subsided for me. I was on RX and I almost quit because it was so tough. The big difference in my round and yours is that I had not been sugarfree or low carb previously, so I had a big detox going on and it was rather rough. Although, to this day, 4 years later, I have remained sugar free since that round, so for that I am very grateful!

I know this is going to sound weird, but homeopathic seems to help more with hunger than the RX. I have a friend who just paid a lot to go to a clinic and she struggled with hunger the whole time, she lost 17 lbs, but she about drove me nuts complaining because she suffered so much. She decided to do her 2nd round with homeopathic pellets and she said that she has not been hungry once. Same with my daughter and her DH, they both are doing pellets and feel like the hunger is much more manageable.

[buttah]

Thanks, Christy and Sunday.

The shots I have starting today (they give me 7 at once, preloaded, which I know isn't the best way, but it's pretty fresh) are a fresh batch from last week's. I think they would've told me if they'd heard from others complaining.

I'm curious about the homeopathic, but I'm a natural skeptic (can you tell)? Given that HCG is already controversial, I do feel better doing it with a doctor I suppose. But I reserve the right to try hHCG in the future.

Just watched the Dr. Oz segments again, and I looked up the female doc he had on who prescribes HCG. Unlike my clinic, she does adjust doses when people are hungry (I had to talk mine into it - they like to play with the food a teeny bit), and her website (Dr. Emma) says she has her own new protocol. I believe, based on the Dr. Oz segment, it's still 500 calories, but I'm so curious what she's changed. I may post on the main forum to see if anyone knows. She's in NJ.

Scale STS today, I think. I can't remember. It was either 163 or 163.4, so I may even be up .4. Yesterday benefitted from SM tea, though. I don't want to do that every day. But seems like there are enough veggies going in to warrant a daily "coming out." How regular are most people?

Honestly at this point I can tell if I'm a teency bit better or just getting used to hunger.

As I said in the main forum, I just want to feel comfortable. And I did for one half of a day, on Friday. My stomach shouldn't be growing and churning constantly, or at least every 2 hours, should it?

[buttah]

Oh, I'm talking with Robin again in a few days. I'll see if I can become a patient there, although I'm not sure it would be much different. I'm actually tempted to order HCG online and mix it myself, daily. It's starting to scare me a little less.

And for the record:

8/30 - 169.5 LOAD DAY 1
8/31 - ??? LOAD DAY 2
9/01 - VLCD1 172.8 +3.3 after loading
9/02 - VLCD2 169.5 -3.3 (lost all of loading)
9/03 - VLCD3 167.1 -2.4 (-5.7 from load w)
9/04 - VLCD4 165.8 -1.3 (-6 from load w, 3.7 from pre-load)
9/05 - VLCD5 165.1 -0.7 (-4.4 from pre-load)
9/06 - VLCD6 164.1 -1.0 (-5.4 from pre-load)
9/07 - VLCD7 164.0 -.1 (-5.5 from pre-load) REALLY? (injected 125iu)
9/08 - VLCD8 163.0 -1.0 (-6.5 from pre-load) HAPPY scale
9/09 - VLCD9 163.? (can't remember, possibly up .4 or STS)

[buttah]

Sunday, what dose were you on? Were your stats similar to mine then?

[sunday]

Originally Posted by buttah

Sunday, what dose were you on? Were your stats similar to mine then?

I went to a bariatrician who is supposed to be one of the best in my area, OK.
He has practiced for 32 years and was nominated as the president of the American Bariatrics Society. Interestingly, he does not approve of lapband or weight loss surgery. Although, he has a few other programs for weight loss that are quite popular and one is a liquid protein with lower cal. He does Hcg at 125 and also prescribes sublingual. I was on the sublingual prescription called Releana. It was definitely working even though it was sublingual, because I had nausea (exactly like I experienced with pregnancy) when I first began while I was loading. Also, if I ate one bit of calories (off plan) or over the 500, I suffered with a gain or even a set back. This only happened once and it was when I went to a birthday dinner. I pretty much stuck with the strict protocol, because I paid $$$ too much to let it go down the drain.

I will say that I know that with hhcg you can eat up to 800 calories per day and still lose. My DSIL & DD have lost well at 800 cals.

I am sorry to see you suffer and will keep my fingers crossed that you find relief! I wonder and would love to know what the other Dr. from the Oz show recommends as well. If JUDDD had not worked for me, I think I would have been very tempted to try the Intermountain Pellets. It seems to work for so many here on the board.

[buttah]

Hmmmm. My calories have been between 415 and 535, possibly 550 if I'm not counting something properly (there are so many ranges, you can never be sure), and I'm quite sure my average is not over 500, but:

Robin Woodall does not believe in counting calories even on HCG. She said if you stick to the food allowed (or in my case, add a bit of protein), your calories will vary in that range anyway, which is clearly fine, because she's seen enough people do it her way.

I certainly hope I haven't messed up on the days I was over, rather than under!

I was not really a "candidate" for lap band, although I did check it out. HCG seems SO MUCH LESS extreme! I really want this work, but today is Day 9 of VLCD. I'm now sipping some broth, and it's helping a lot. I don't want to eat dinner at 3pm. But I keep wondering..

SHOULD managing hunger on HCG be a full time job like this that basically keeps one from leaving the house?!!!!! I can't believe that's the case, but... maybe that's what everyone's doing and I simply thought it would be easier, but I'm just... wrong?

[buttah]

Oh, I was asking if your height, weight, age stats were similar to mind when you did HCG.

[sunday]

I started at 215 and lost to 170 on 60 days of protocol. I maintained for 1 and 1/2 years, but I also never varied much from P3 eating.
I am 5'4" and I lost mega inches, because I was wearing 10s, so I definitely had inches lost. I am mostly 12s now, but I also gained back 25 lbs during full blow meno and re-lost this on JUDDD.

[buttah]

the hhcg that most seem to rave about are the Intermountain pellets, right? Is that what your relatives took? I know I can't switch mid-round, but man I'm getting curious.

[sunday]

I was 51 at the time and perimeno. It may have been a mistake because I was only able to maintain for 1.5 years.

[sunday]

Yes, my friend loved the Intermountain pellets and my son in law is an attorney and works out. He was only needing to lose about 25 lbs, but he never had hunger at all eating about 800 calories. My daughter said that she ate between 600- 800 calories and lost about 15 lbs in one month, but had to quit for reason having to do with medical. Her doctor wanted her to go off until he could finish running tests.

[buttah]

At 55, I think meno symptoms are skipping right over me. Still get my period, albeit not always on time. No hot flashes, no nothing. My mom didn't have any symptoms either. It's good to know it's coming, though. Maybe I can nip any gaining tendencies in the bud.

[christyb]

I haven't ever counted calories on this plan. I wasn't told to at my doctor's office. It wasn't until I started spending time on internet boards that I realized people counted. I just eat the foods I was told to eat. Last time I ate every last bite of my food. This time I'm not always eating them because I'm paying more attention to hunger. My weight loss seems to be about the same, though.

If you think it's getting better I think you should ride it out for a few days. I think if can get away from having to think about it constantly eerything will get easier.

[buttah]

what do you typically do, if anything, if you've eaten all your protocol food and you're at 404 calories... and you're still hungry? Have some more of your veggies? Nothing? In the past I've added protein, but I'm not cooking one ounce of protein at this hour.

[buttah]

Originally Posted by christyb

I haven't ever counted calories on this plan. I wasn't told to at my doctor's office. It wasn't until I started spending time on internet boards that I realized people counted. I just eat the foods I was told to eat. Last time I ate every last bite of my food. This time I'm not always eating them because I'm paying more attention to hunger. My weight loss seems to be about the same, though.

If you think it's getting better I think you should ride it out for a few days. I think if can get away from having to think about it constantly eerything will get easier.

I plan to ride it out. Trying to even stay away from LCF, except this journal, in case I need to look back at a previous day and see what happened.

Maybe it's not good to count the calories, UNLESS you're adding a bit of food on doctor/Robin's/someone's orders. I guess that's why I started. Maybe I'll stop.

[sunday]

Yes, I agree about not counting calories as well. It is not necessary because you are on so few choices and no fat. I think you are doing great! I think if you are still hungry tomorrow and you have lowered your dose, you are smart to ask Robin for guidance.

I wish that I had read Robin's book before I did the protocol. I use her hunger scale with my UD and it is wonderful. I never have to count on UD because I truly just eat to the hunger scale.

[buttah]

Back at 150iu yesterday (haven't had today's yet) and it was a bit better Maybe I jumped the gun on lowering my dose. But after another day of no loss, down only .2 today and followed protocol to the decimal yesterday.

8/30 - 169.5 LOAD DAY 1
8/31 - ??? LOAD DAY 2
9/01 - VLCD1 172.8 +3.3 after loading
9/02 - VLCD2 169.5 -3.3 (lost all of loading)
9/03 - VLCD3 167.1 -2.4 (-5.7 from load w)
9/04 - VLCD4 165.8 -1.3 (-6 from load w, 3.7 from pre-load)
9/05 - VLCD5 165.1 -0.7 (-4.4 from pre-load)
9/06 - VLCD6 164.1 -1.0 (-5.4 from pre-load)
9/07 - VLCD7 164.0 -.1 (-5.5 from pre-load) REALLY? (injected 125iu)
9/08 - VLCD8 163.0 -1.0 (-6.5 from pre-load) HAPPY scale
9/09 - VLCD9 163.? (can't remember, possibly up .4 or STS)
9/10 - VLCD10 163 (back to 150iu, better day hunger wise)
9/11 - VLCD11 162.8 (may amend at regular weigh-in time, but don't want to forget)

is this a normal stall? Seems like I'm not even on HCG.

[sunday]

I think it is normal. I know that after watching my friends who are in our age bracket, that losing 17 - 20 lbs in 30 days is pretty much the norm on protocol. I think it is also phenomenal! When you realize that most weight loss programs would net an avg of 8-10 lbs in 30 days, to lose double that is quite impressive! I think you will have a great round because you are so in tune to your body and true to the protocol.

How is your sleep now?

[buttah]

Slept pretty well last night. I could've gone to bed sooner and slept better, but we were with friends. I was really, truly, okay.

No bathroom fairy. I may have some SM tea tonight. It worked last time I felt I needed it, but after one good weigh in, I think I just gained back the water it made me lose.

I am still feeling better! Haven't needed anything to eat yet, and I've been up for a couple of hours. Thank God. I hope it continues!

Have found a "bread" I like. WASA 7 grain light crisp or something like that. They're larger and more satisfying for the 20 calories (that's the equivalent of the melba/grissini calories, right?) Similar stats, so clinic says it's okay.

[sunday]

I LOVE Wasa Crisp 'n Light 7 Grain on DD when I need something crunchy for my psychological needs. And for 20 calories it can be used when necessary as replacement for grissini! It is great crumbled on my salad for the crunch factor and replaces croutons quite nicely.

[buttah]

Sunday, I can't find the Grissini. Closest I've found is Alessini brand sesame grissini, but it says right on the box "made with EV olive oil," so I just wasn't sure. Robin W. allows a few (I forget the number) saltines or rice crackers, so from what I've gleaned, as long as the nutritional content (or lack thereof) is similar, it seems a validated replacement. Surely Dr. S didn't think there was anything magical in melba toast. That is one area of the diet where, were he alive today, I'm sure he would've made an improvement. But we'll never know.

All said, I'd love to not even have the bread. But if I need it, I have it.

Thanks so much for your help and encouragement!