An HCG Protocol Journey

Yay for Dr. Oz!

2011-02-23T20:00:00.002-05:00

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/weight-loss-controversy-hcg-diet-pt-1

Update

2011-01-24T13:24:00.000-05:00

So as I mentioned in my last post, I'm working out with my personal trainer during this round. He doesn't take it easy on me either. In fact, I'm back from an hour and a half at the gym doing weight circuit training and elliptical. I feel so good! Much better than I had expected, because I really pretty much fundamentally hate the gym. But, I'm past the first two really sore days at the beginning, so things are smooth sailing now. Yesterday was my last dose, and I believe I'm doing a 10 day P3 break starting tomorrow. I've only lost 8 pounds this round due to the exercise and upping my calories considerably (probably 1,000 and over), but the inches lost is crazy. My size 6 jeans are now nice and loose again, and in areas that I never lose with exercise alone.

Thoughts and Ramblings

2011-01-08T15:45:00.000-05:00

So, where do I begin? The last round was sort of an experiment of reshaping. It was very cool, because that's exactly what happened. I ate a normal diet while taking the HCG and I lost several inches around my hips and upper thighs, though I actually gained a couple pounds. When I stopped taking the HCG I totally skipped doing P3 (really bad idea) and continued eating a normal diet. I ended up gaining 15 pounds (up to 150) over the last few months, and had to move up to my size 8 pants. My husband did a proper round, albeit with increased fat and calories, and looks and feels amazing at 14% body fat.

I started a fresh, new round to re-lose the gained weight on Jan 1st (what a nice, round number!) I've lost 8 during this first week.

I've learned a few things.

I always knew that I was carb-sensitive, but I believe now that my body just cannot handle refined carbs/starches at ALL. Something happens whenever I eat bread/sugar...even refined veggie-based carbs like corn and potato. My back starts to hurt between my shoulder blades. Every single time I eat them. I also instantly gain. I believe I need to look into doing the Paleo diet for life. My husband (and most people) don't have this issue. However, this really puts me at odds with my love of being in the kitchen and trying new things. I suppose I'll have to look at it as a totally new and different challenge.

I've also gone back to my gym and my personal trainer. Three times a week, for now. Yes, even during P2. I went for my first workout yesterday. I'll be going M-W-F. My trainer doesn't really know about the protocol, so I'm having to educate him, even though they offer HCG drops at the gym I go to (not that I use them.) I'm increasing my protein and calories, of course. I'm extremely sore after yesterday's lower body workout, but I'd be even if I wasn't on protocol. I'm hoping that this will increase my results, help me maintain when I'm on P3 and P4, and I'll see nice toning.

I don't think I'll be posting daily updates, but I'll check in with my results at the end of this round. Not sure if it's gonna be a short one or not. I'm keeping a paper record by my scale this time.

I still believe 1000% in the HCG protocol and I would recommend it to ANYONE needing to lose weight.

Round 6, Day 18 - VLCD

2010-10-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

R6P2 Day: 18
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 143.4 lbs
Today's Weight: 142.8 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 12 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - .6 lbs

Activity: errands

Menu: Apple, P2 lasagne, 4 strips grilled zucchini, grilled Pacific snapper filet, mustard aioli

Supplements: Macrobid antibiotic, Beauty Angel

Note: Respectable loss, need more fluids, though.

Round 6, Day 17 - VLCD

2010-10-06T10:45:00.002-04:00

R6P2 Day: 16
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 142.2 lbs
Today's Weight: 143.4 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 11.4 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: + .8 lbs

Activity: errands

Menu: Apple, P2 lasagne, apple, Thai lettuce cups, couple bites of a grilled meatball sandwich, 5 pesto tortelloni

Supplements: Macrobid antibiotic

Note: Grr. Bad couple days of eating, including yesterday. So, no overall loss, but I'm the same I was on Friday. My clothes however are loose again. My goal is 135, I don't think I can sustain anything much lower. I actually think 135 is really 125 for my body the way it is now, and maybe I'll get to be 125 after I have my surgery. Hopefully Dec/Jan.

Round 6, Day 12 - VLCD

2010-10-01T12:32:00.001-04:00

R6P2 Day: 12
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 144.2 lbs
Today's Weight: 143.4 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 11.4 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - .8 lbs

Activity: errands

Menu: Apple, Thai lettuce cups (recipe here on my blog), Amylu andouille chicken sausage with lettuce, strawberries with xylitol

Supplements: Macrobid antibiotic

Note: TOM. Another good loss! Again, I find that if I add a little fat and a little more protein, I have better losses. Feeling good!

Round 6, Day 11 - VLCD

2010-09-30T10:43:00.002-04:00

R6P2 Day: 11
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 145.4 lbs
Today's Weight: 144.2 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 10.6 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 1.2 lbs

Activity: errands

Menu: Apple, roasted asparagus with a tiny bit of olive oil, curried grilled chicken breast, restaurant grilled pacific snapper with grilled zucchini and mustard aioli sauce

Supplements: whole body red light therapy and vibrating platform, Macrobid antibiotic (double loading dose, then regular dose), Usept, triple flu shot vaccine

Note: TOM. Okay, nice loss even with all the stuff that's going on. I've had a headache since yesterday afternoon, and I have a bladder infection, I used to get them chronically but I haven't had one in a couple years, but boy do you know without a doubt when you do. Took a loading dose of Macrobid, and Usept for the pain (and nice bright blue urine), and then my regular dose at bedtime. No getting around it, I'll be on it for the next 6 days.

Also, I took my daughter and I to get our triple flu vaccine. She has asthma and it's essential to try and stave it off. Last year we both had H1N1, and it was the scariest thing ever when we had to rush her to the ER with a 106 fever. Hoping to avoid that this year!

Round 6, Day 10 - VLCD

2010-09-29T21:56:00.001-04:00

R6P2 Day: 10
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 144.6 lbs
Today's Weight: 145.4 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 9.4 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: + .8 lbs

Activity: visiting farm, walking

Menu: Apple, Maryland shrimp soup, chicken meatballs w/salad, apple, several big bites of organic shell pasta with cheesy sauce (homemade)

Supplements:

Note: TOM. Yeah, no surprise at the gain.

Round 6, Day 9 - VLCD

2010-09-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

R6P2 Day: 9
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 145.2 lbs
Today's Weight: 144.6 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 10.2 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - .6 lbs

Activity: errands

Menu: Apple, chicken, green salad, steak and salad from Willy's

Supplements: whole-body red light therapy with vibrating platform

Note: TOM.

Round 6, Day 8 - VLCD

2010-09-27T11:45:00.002-04:00

R6P2 Day: 8
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 145.8 lbs
Today's Weight: 145.2 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 9.6 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - .6 lbs

Activity: housework, painting

Menu: Tangelo, homemade egg drop soup in chicken broth, apple, wild baked Alaskan cod with a bit of cilantro-lime crema, and salad.

Supplements: epsom salt bath

Note: TOM. No wonder I've been in such a bad mood these last few days, and also with the low food willpower.

Round 6, Day 7 - VLCD

2010-09-26T11:44:00.000-04:00

R6P2 Day: 7
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 146.8 lbs
Today's Weight: 145.8 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 9.0 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 1.0 lbs

Activity: housework, painting

Menu: 2 Apples, 7 oz ribeye steak, one small slice of homemade apple pie (sweetened with a touch of honey, and yes, I ate the crust.)

Supplements:

Note: I didn't intend to do a MSD, but we slept realllly late (IL's had taken our daughter for the morning) and then we were at a church function until 4:30pm. So, I just made us a ribeye when we got home.

Round 6, Day 6 - VLCD

2010-09-25T11:43:00.000-04:00

R6P2 Day: 6
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 146.8 lbs
Today's Weight: 146.8 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 8.0 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 0.0 lbs

Activity: light, errands

Menu: Apple, grilled chicken with salad, Zaxby's grilled chicken salad (no dressing), apple
Supplements: whole-body red light therapy

Note: No PA again. More chicken! Feeling PMSy.

Round 6, Day 5 - VLCD

2010-09-24T12:50:00.003-04:00

R6P2 Day: 5
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 146.6 lbs
Today's Weight: 146.8 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 8.0 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: + .2 lbs

Activity: light, errands

Menu: Apple, Buffalo chicken meatballs, lots of Brussels sprouts, grilled seasoned chicken, salad, stewed apple

Supplements:

Note: No PA. I am behind on my fluids, and both chickens (tsk, tsk) had more than my fair share of salt. Hunger left yesterday. Woo hoo!

Round 6, Day 4 - VLCD

2010-09-23T11:06:00.003-04:00

R6P2 Day: 4
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 148.2 lbs
Today's Weight: 146.6 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 8.2 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 1.6 lbs

Activity: light, errands

Menu: Sugar-free, non-fat vanilla latte, Apple, garlic-cilantro shrimp, cucumbers, P2 chili, tangelo, ruby chai tea w/xylitol

Supplements:

Note: Yay! Another great loss! Still kinda hungry, hoping it'll get better in the next day or so. I didn't load like crazy this time (I figured I loaded during the summer!)

Oh, also I had 3" cut off my hair yesterday, that surely had to contribute to a loss this morning, hehe!

Round 6, Day 3 - VLCD

2010-09-22T14:06:00.001-04:00

R6P2 Day: 3
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 149.6 lbs
Today's Weight: 148.2 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 6.6 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 1.4 lbs

Activity: light, errands

Menu: Apple, P2 chili, sole fillet, wilted bok choy, stewed apple & cinnamon

Supplements: Beauty Angel (whole-body red light therapy)

Note: Pretty good! As for the "Beauty Angel", I don't know if it's bunk or not, but I got a Groupon for an unlimited month of it, so we'll see how it works (or not.) It's supposed to rejuvenate skin and help reduce pain. The one in the salon I go to has a funny vibrating platform you stand on which is supposed to help tone your muscles.

I made a stuffed fillet of sole - it was just lime juice, salt and pepper, crushed coriander and then fresh chopped cilantro inside, rolled up and baked at 350 for 10 mins. I sauteed the bok choy in some cider vinegar, salt and pepper, fresh chopped garlic and the tiniest touch of sesame oil.

Round 6, Day 2 - VLCD

2010-09-21T09:04:00.001-04:00

R6P2 Day: 2
Date of your VLCD #1 : 9/20/10
Weight on your VLCD #1 : 154.8 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 152.6 lbs
Today's Weight: 149.6 lbs
# above/below VLCD #1: - 5.2 lbs
# gain/loss from yesterday: - 5.2 lbs

Activity: light, errands

Menu: Apple, Maryland shrimp soup, tilapia filet, asparagus, apple

Note: Okay, I'm here again. Here AGAIN, in the 140s. Am I happy about this? No. I gained almost 20 pounds since May. I really don't regret all the eating out, because I have been with friends and family, and just let go and had fun this summer. I'd been on this strict diet for over a year and appreciated just letting loose for a while. It's kind of cool, though, the weight I put on was almost entirely in my hips/butt area, and my boobs look amazing! LOL! I'm still wearing my small, size clothes, but 8 on bottom instead of 6.

I'm interested to see how this round goes. The last two I lost sooo slowly. This time I've had a nice, long break. Maybe I'll get losses closer to what I had during my 2nd or 3rd rounds? My husband is also doing this round with me, and his goal is to lessen his body fat percentage, but he'll be eating extra protein. He's maintained the same weight since his first (and last) round a year ago.

Happy about the 5+ pound loss today, though!

Is this thing on??

2010-09-17T00:15:00.002-04:00

*cough cough* shakes off the dust

Hey! Anyone still here? My hubby, MIL and I are starting a new round this weekend! So, I'll be back to posting, hopefully this is the last round! Summer was too good to me ;) My other sister and her boyfriend just started their first rounds a few days ago, and are doing great. Woo hoo!

8/7 Update

2010-08-07T12:19:00.003-04:00

Sorry again! Lots going on, being locked out of this blog account notwithstanding! Took Google a week to unlock it for me.

First things first, I'm so happy to announce that my food blog, bentobloggy.com, was chosen on August 3rd as Blog of Note by Blogger.com! It's a huge honor!

Second, I have really good, and not so good news regarding me and my P4 - As you can probably tell from Bentobloggy...I have really been enjoying my food! Lots of carbs. Since I went on vacation I gained 5 pounds (I was already 5 pounds up!) so I'm a whopping 10 pounds up from my LIW.

HOWEVER...I've stabilized at 140. I mean, really stabilized. And that's with eating anything I want. I mean, I'm not so happy that I'm 10 pounds more than I want to be, but hello? I can eat carbs and sugar and my weight doesn't budge! I've given it a lot of thought. I'm going to do what I haven't done before and let myself keep steady at this weight for a couple months. Before I'd not wait and jump right back into P2 with no breaks. I think that was a mistake. In October I'm going to do another round (very proper) and once and for all lose it, and then stabilize properly again at whatever LIW I end up at. I think this several month break is going to be the key for me to have a good final round which will allow me to A) lose fairly quickly and not be nickle and diming it like during the last 2 rounds and B) let me stabilize at the end.

I'm excited! BTW, I still wear size 6, but I can tell I've gained the weight in my tummy, posterior and boobs. Like I mentioned in previous posts, the last time I was 140 I was wearing size 10-12, so size 6 is a miracle!

7/22 update

2010-07-22T00:30:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm actually still on vacation for the next few days, just logging in on my laptop for a few minutes this evening. Can you believe, I forgot my scale?! I KNOW I have some major work to do when I get back, I can just tell in my tummy...that and I've been eating a chocolate chunk cookie every day for breakfast. Wow. It's pretty much been a carb-fest here with 30 of my family members. Having tons of fun, though. =)

7/12 update

2010-07-12T20:08:00.002-04:00

Hi! Still here, still hanging in there. It's been really busy, been out of town (just day trips) for a few days in a row, including today. I have TOM right now, so things are a little out of whack hydration-wise, and I'm 7lbs up right now, though the only part of me that's bloated is my tummy (i.e. I still look just as thin in my upper body/face as I have been.) Yesterday I wore a dress that barely fit my chest area at this same weight during R4. Even though I'm the same actual weight, my body is thinner and reshaped, so it was easy able to zip up. It's heartening to say the least!

Anyway, getting ready to go out of town AGAIN, this time for a whole week. Family reunion at the lake. Busy summer!

7/2 update

2010-07-02T23:16:00.003-04:00

*sigh* Well this time I've been absent because of Miss V. Last Saturday my daughter and I took her dinner and sat with her the whole evening chatting. We put her to bed and said our goodnights. In the early morning hours her companion heard a crash, and found Miss V on the floor. She was in an unconscious state, but able to squeeze our hands (and refuse food and water, that contrary lady!). We sat by her side this whole week, stroked her, talked to her, held her hands. Very early this morning Miss V passed away. We are saddened and a little numbed by her loss, since this was pretty sudden. Miss V was just telling me that night how much she enjoyed her two trips to Florida (both within 4 weeks!) that she had just returned from a couple days before. She was such a strong and vibrant lady, we really didn't expect this.

As for me, I have been doing just ok...I'm over LIW, this morning I was 133ish. Today I just ate what I could grab, helping my MIL with funeral arrangements. I shudder to think what the scale says tomorrow morning, but in the grand scheme of things...who cares?

6/18 Lazy Day P3 Check-in

2010-06-18T15:31:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm sitting poolside right now having a wonderful time and trying not to get burned. My husband and I are spending the next 4 days at a swank hotel, and I'm loving it. I was just at the spa, I was the only one there (no splashy kids this time!)

I had to do my first correction day this P3 yesterday, I was up to 134 even, but after doing a cheese & apple day, I'm down to 131 this morning. The gain was due to me eating some thin crust pizza, which I'm sure also had sugar in it. In any case, still feeling great, sunbathing in my new bathing suit (woot!) and relaxing. I brought along some delicious things to eat - macs, chicken salad, spinach salad, guacamole...yum! For brunch I had a filet mignon that was to die for.

6/13 P3 Check In

2010-06-13T15:14:00.001-04:00

Just a quick check in today. I'm doing really, really well. I'm so totally shocked, because the last two P3s have been pretty disastrous, my weight fluctuating wildly. This P3 has been a dream, and though I fluctuate day to day up and down, it's NEVER been above 132, even by a single point! This time I'm just following my body's cues - eating only when I'm hungry, but choosing HF and calorie foods, eating even more green veggies, and adding a bit more fruit. I'm not charting anything in Fit Day, for better or for worse, but it seems to be working thus far. I'm also having a small glass of wine almost every evening. I'm just crusing along here. Yay!! My only problem right now is that I'm not drinking enough water/fluids.

P3 - I'm back!

2010-06-10T00:38:00.003-04:00

I'm here, I'm back! My nephew is precious, and my sister is doing well. I'm maintaining my weight so far (130), and I'm feeling great!

P.S. since a busy summer is upon us I'll probably not be posting daily, probably just do a weekly check in. We are traveling a lot, so it just makes things easier on that front (hope to say the same for me maintaining!)

Limbo

2010-06-04T11:39:00.000-04:00

Today is my last limbo day, trying not to go crazy too early ;) My LIW is 130 exactly woo hoo! Now just to run the last few errands before packing up and getting on the plane tomorrow morning.