Well, here I am again...

Hi, all, I know you're wondering what happened to me. Actually, things have been going very well as far as the hcg diet! I started another round Sept. 7 (loading days) starting the VLCD on Sept. 9--so far, I have lost 23 pounds! Adding this round to previous losses, I have now lost a total of 75 pounds! Yay! I haven't been at this weight for quite a few years, and I'm feeling pretty good! I've been fitting into clothes I haven't been able to wear in years!

This time I've been doing sublingual, and it's gone very well. Although it's nearing the end of my 43 days, I'm going to try to keep going this round as long as I can, if I can do it without hitting immunity. Oh, I've also been using coconut oil the whole time, and still have had good losses! I've also been using a supplement in my coffee that tastes great (like creamer) and also helps balance blood sugar, so that's been a nice addition. I'm thrilled that it didn't affect my losses negatively too.

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone, if you ever read this any more! But I thought it would be nice to post a little update! Take care, Merry

Starting again...

Hey, guys, here I am again starting another round of the protocol. It's been a little discouraging because I didn't stablize well after last round. It's kind of hard not just being able to stay on the protocol for a long time, until I'm at goal--it really does get hard to leave so long in between rounds too. This time I left about 8 or 9 weeks between rounds, but technically Dr. Simeon would say to leave longer in multiple rounds. I just wish I could do it for a long time and not take breaks. So I may try sublingual some time--but not this round. Anyway, today is my first day, and I'm glad to go it again. Will keep you posted! Until next time, Merry

Keep On Keepin' On...

Hello, gang! Well, I've been plowing through phase 3 maintenance phase and it's had it's ups and downs--in more ways than one. I've found that if I start eating a few nuts, they become more and more until I can't look at another nut. Same thing with cheese. So I've been trying to eliminate those two items except for once in a while! I still haven't given up my apples with peanut-butter for lunch though!

I'm also still eating miracle noodles every day, which really keeps me regular! The only problem is, some times I'd rather NOT have them, and if I don't I'm a bit uncomfortable. I do have some of the konjac flour, but sometimes I just can't get that down.

I'm trying to add more vegetables in, in general, but sometimes it's easier to grab a piece of fruit. But I have made some great discoveries: something called "one-carb bread" which actually tastes great--if you want the link to order it, let me know and I'll post it--and I've been having plain yogurt mixes with a little Walden Farm's no-calorie maple syrup and some berries or banana slices! Yum! It makes me not even think about ice cream any more! I also really miss the ChocoPerfection bars, but they are a bit pricey so I haven't ordered them recently.

My weight has seemed to stabilize now, but it's a bit over my LIW limit. I'm also considering doing a three-week round again before I go on vacation, but I'll let you know if I do! Until next time, Merry

One year later!

Well,fans, it's down to just a few of us here. It's been a long haul, and I still have a lot more to go. But I couldn't go without noting that as of yesterday, April 26, it's been ONE FULL YEAR since I first started the protocol! Since then, I've done 3 long rounds of between 30-43 days each, and one short one of 23 days. My total weight loss, not counting the ups and down with loading and in between rounds--60 pounds! Yay!

Yes, I just finished another longer round of about 30 days, my fourth round (if you count that short one.) I lost about 17 pounds, but I hadn't stabilized in phase 3, so it didn't bring my total down that much. But still, I'm rejoicing in the fact that I feel so much better at 60 pounds lighter. Also, these weights that I've been passing through these last two rounds are all weights that I was at for longer periods of time--I'm sure that's partly why it's been a bit slower. Of course, I also added coconut oil this round, so maybe I would have lost more?

Anyway, I was planning to go a bit longer this time, but I'm fairly certain I hit immunity early again. I woke up one morning and realized I was really hungry! Then my dad was in the hospital so I just knew it was time to start the "evil 72" hours and go off the hcg. I'm thinking of switching to sublingual one of these days, so I can go longer without worrying about immunity, at least that's what people say! Also, the more rounds you go, the longer you are supposed to wait in between rounds, all because of immunity. It would be so much easier, in a way, to just go through and get it over with, like you do with most diets. But I know the stabilization period is also important.

Anyway, happy anniversary to all my fellow hcg challengers, who mostly have been dropping out or have finished the journey--but it's still significant that we made it this far past the milestone of starting hcg! Well, it's late, so until next time, Merry

The lost post from 2/21--sorry about that! "16 Pounds Gones"

Okay, guys, I just found this lost post from Feb. 21--I'm going to inset it anyway. Sorry about that! --Merry

16 pounds gone!


Oh, it feels good writing those words. Tomorrow is my 23rd injection, and I'm really considering when to stop so I don't get immune. I'm thinking Tuesday or Wed. will be my last dose, and then the three days on VLCD without the shots--so I'll finish Friday or so. I really want to be done by the weekend, because I'm going to a seminar all day Saturday, and it's much easier if I can eat a bit more. I probably will still bring my lunch, but I'm really looking forward to more protein!

And speaking of protein, we just got a fourth of a cow, and it's all neatly in the freezer! I can't wait to have a big juicy steak, but although steak is allowed on phase 2, I don't know how lean this meat really is, so I don't know if it's okay. I did have some of the hamburger, but I rinsed it off really well first. On the other hand, I didn't lose anything that day either, so I'm thinking to wait on the steak.

I was really hoping to lose 20 pounds this round, so we'll see if I make it. I'm tempted to try some coconut oil too, which seems to break a stall for some people. If tomorrow I'm still the same--which will be day 4 of the stall--I'm definitely going to try adding coconut oil! A woman on the hcgdieters group said she and a few other people added it every day, not even counting calories, and she though it helped them lose faster! So it's worth a try!

People are saying I look thinner too Yay! So I feel good about that, but I wish my hunger wouldn't be so strong this time. I still think I need to adjust the dose. Actually, I re-mixed it and froze some of the syringes, only saving out 6 syringes in the fridge. So I'll have to see how it works! Well, it's after midnight again and I need to get to bed! Until next time, Merry

Now onto Round 4!

Okay, I've been very bad because I've been doing the protocol and forgetting to write. Since my last writings--if you recall, I was struggling more with hunger in Round 3, so I gave in (sort of) and ended it after the minimum of 23 days (or is it 24?)

Anyway--I wished almost immediately I hadn't done it, but oh well. My results were: I lost 17 pounds in 23 days! The only problem was, I had trouble stabilizing in phase 3--and gained about 5 pounds back. Then on loading days I gained 5 more--so this round I'm going back down the same decade I've done two times before! But I just keep telling myself that if I keep on keeping on, I will get there!

I'm not sure why I didn't stabilize either--I was out of my Ferm Plus and didn't have money to buy more, so I was craving more and overdid it on nuts. I did one steak day at the beginning, and it did help, but then I think if you gain too much more you can't get back down, even if you do repeated steak days. So to me, the only answer then is, start over and try to re-set that hypothalamus!

So after four weeks of phase 3, I have now completed one week of phase 2 again--Round 4 this time. Although I almost don't think I can count that other three week round! As of today, my total loss from almost a year ago, on April 26--is 51 pounds. I have to rejoice in that, but now I want to see it going down, down, down!

I am back on Candida G, and it's helping a lot. Oh, also big update--this round I'm trying coconut oil! One woman on the support group list said she lost more when she took it--and it does make it a lot easier, as far as how I feel. She said not to count the calories of it, because our body doesn't metabolize medium-chain triglycerides. I'll let you know how that goes!

I also discovered a new taste--and when your tastes are limited like on this protocol, that's exciting! I read on the support group that you can actually cook radishes--so tonight I sauteed some in coconut oil, added a little Celtic Sea Salt, and it was divine! YUMMY! I don't really love radishes raw, and I don't know why I never thought of cooking them. It's just "not done" I guess! If you like turnips, the way I do, try them!

Anyway--I'm now on Day 6 of the VLCD, and I've lost 6 pounds, like usual. Of course, that includes what I gained on loading and phase 3. But it's still great to realize we can lose weight this quick! I will try to keep you updated! Glad to read what my other fellow challengers are doing too. Take care! Until next time, Merry

16 Pounds Gone!

Oh, it feels good writing those words. Tomorrow is my 23rd injection, and I'm really considering when to stop so I don't get immune. I'm thinking Tuesday or Wed. will be my last dose, and then the three days on VLCD without the shots--so I'll finish Friday or so. I really want to be done by the weekend, because I'm going to a seminar all day Saturday, and it's much easier if I can eat a bit more. I probably will still bring my lunch, but I'm really looking forward to more protein!

And speaking of protein, we just got a fourth of a cow, and it's all neatly in the freezer! I can't wait to have a big juicy steak, but although steak is allowed on phase 2, I don't know how lean this meat really is, so I don't know if it's okay. I did have some of the hamburger, but I rinsed it off really well first. On the other hand, I didn't lose anything that day either, so I'm thinking to wait of the steak.I was really hoping to lose 20 pounds this round, so we'll see if I make it. I'm tempted to try some coconut oil too, which seems to break a stall for some people. If tomorrow I'm still the same--which will be day 4 of the stall--I'm definitely going to try adding coconut oil! A woman on the hcgdieters group said she and a few other people added it every day, not even counting calories, and she though it helped them lose faster! So it's worth a try!

People are saying I look thinner too Yay! So I feel good about that, but I wish my hunger wouldn't be so strong this time. I still think I need to adjust the dose. Actually, I re-mixed it and froze some of the syringes, only saving out 6 syringes in the fridge. So I'll have to see how it works! Well, it's after midnight again and I need to get to bed! Until next time, Merry