Hi Becky,
We were in the group meeting on January 8th and purchased the wieght loss system. We started the diet together on Sunday, January 18th, with Sunday and Monday being our "pig" days and Tueday the 20th being the first day we started the 550-calorie diet plan. Today (Sunday) is day 22 for us. My husband and I opted to go for the 40-day plan as we both have more than 30 pounds to loose----He has 50 to 60 and me 40. We are "empty nesters" so with it just being the 2 of us, no other cooking is going on---which also helps. We have both felt good; some days noticing more hunger than other days---sometimes time of day matters, etc. We have found the diet very "doable" but sometimes hard---we are wishing there was a blog where those of us who are doing this could write what we are experiencing, share suggestions, etc. All we have had to date is what we heard (along with your handout sheet) on the 8th. The only other couple we know on the diet have been helpful, but having a website or blog where we can ask you questions as well as the group would really help us. We both walk for exercise at least 3/week. I also try to get in a couple of days of 30 min. on a stationery bike; we have not noticed additional fatigue after exercising.
As of this morning, I've lost 17.4 pounds in 22 days; He has lost 19 pounds. However, I gained 1.6 on day 1 & 2.2 on day 2 of the "pig" days, recorded as day 2 & 3 as weigh-in was next morning. First weight loss was recorded morning of day 4. Here is a listing of morning weight loss/gains from day 4 through 22 : -2.1, -2.0 (which brought me essentially to the weight I was before the 2 pig days), -2.5, +.8, -.8, -.6, -1.3, +.2, -1.5, -.7, -.4, -1.4, -2.1, -.2, -.6, -.8, - .4, -.2, +.4. I'm wondering what you see in these numbers based on the many people you have helped. I've not cheated by consuming food not specifically included; however, I may have errored on a bit too much of steamed cabbage & spinach or a few grams over the allowed of 70 cooked protein.
Questions: Are those who opt to go for the 40 days found it best to take the drops every day or to take them 6 days out of 7? Are those like us who want to loose more weight better off to stop after the 23 days (26 days counting the 3 with no HCG) and then do a 2nd round of the same length after the necessary days between (we need to know how many days are required after the 26th day----book says 3 days on the same strict diet with no HCG, and then is it 3 weeks on basically the same diet, but adding more (somewhat larger portions) while still avoiding fats and carbs----is this right? Are other veggies an option---such as brocolli and green beans which are very low in calorie and would seem to be OK? Are there any other suggestions you would give us as we head into the last half of this process---tips from others, etc.
We will appreciate your response to assist us.
Empty Nesters
Mesa, Az
Hello Empty Nesters,
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you! I agree that my website is extremely lacking! We are now almost done with our new amazing website. Also we will indeed have a BLOG! It should be up in less than a week!
By looking at your weight loss numbers, I think that you are both are doing amazing. You are right on target and actually in the higher percentage of weight loss for people over 50.
FYI you are only on a 500 calorie diet, not 550. I don't really understand what you were talking about when you said... "I may have error-ed on a bit too much of steamed cabbage & spinach or a few grams over the allowed of 70 cooked protein."
What you eat is one large handful of veggies, 100 grams of protein and one of the specified fruits, bread stick is optional but allowed.
Yes, it is important to skip a day when doing the 40 days. It helps to avoid your body becoming immuned to the HCG. If you change your mind and after the fact decide to do a 40 day, you will just have to watch your weight loss and see when and if it stops working. You may do just fine! As long as you do the minimum of 23 days of drops, you can continue as long as you like UP TO 40 days.
If you do choose the 40 day, the one bottle will get you through at least 36 days days on the diet if you skip one day a week. By skipping one day a week you are actually banking 1 day of drops for the 6 weeks. So the 30 ml bottle will last for 6 weeks (40 days) skipping one day per week. It is so very hard to explain! But you must be precise on your measuring. Technically, for your husband, it is actually only 39 days but that's close enough to not need to purchase another bottle!
It is completely a personal choice on whether or not you do the 26 or 40 days. Either way you will end up doing it at least twice. It just depends on how committed you are feeling now or if you emotionally need a break. My second round was much more difficult than the first. I am just finishing my 3rd and last round. I have lost a total of 42 pounds. I still have 6 pounds to go to hit my goal. I wish that I had done a 40 day the first time. I didn't know about that then. Then I probably would have only had to do 2 times instead of three. I do have suggestions however on maintenance depending on how long you choose to stay on the diet.
If you choose the 40 days and plan on jumping right back into the diet at the end of the 6 weeks of maintenance, then I would be extra careful with what you eat during that time. I had too much fun eating normal food for the few weeks before starting again and then to go back to restricted eating was much more difficult that I thought it would be. It wasn't as fun as the first time! The weight came off slower and it was discouraging. But this third time has been wonderful! I took a good 2 months off before starting and was much more emotionally prepared.
So this is my advice: If you want to do the 40 days either; eat carefully during the 6 week break if jumping right back in OR take 8 weeks off and be really happy to start again!
Maintenance Meals: You CAN eat Any meats, Any vegetables excluding starchy ones (corn, potatoes, grains, etc) and any fruit avoiding extra sweet ones the first three weeks. Add dairy and eggs to your diet. Add healthy fats to your diet. Mix your vegetables and enjoy them. Eat big salads, omelets, avocado's, etc. mmmm! Just DO NOT EAT: Bread, grains, rice, beans or SUGAR! ETC. No need to count calories. You will be fine. Just continue to weigh yourself as you proceed. Follow the book on what to do if you go over 2 pounds. Don't be upset if the first week you have massive fluctuations in your weight. This is normal. The body is just getting used to eating and metabolizing on it's own again. Keep drinking and keep weighing and you'll be fine. Yo will soon learn through your journal what you can and cannot eat. Check out the cookbook for some good recipes for Phase 3 (maintenance).
Let me know if you have anymore questions. I love weekly updates.
Let me know what you decide. A lot has changed for the better since you came to the class. My husband is helping me and we are now having meetings weekly at Sweet Cakes Cafe in Downtown Mesa. It has been a fun process! Feel free to come and join us anytime at one of our classes on Tuesdays at 7pm for a refresher. We will also be starting Nutritional classes to assist people in understanding more about what we eat so that they feel support for the future after you reach your goals. We want to assist people in keeping off what they have worked so hard to get off!
Fun to chat! I look forward to hearing from you!
Becky K