I love it!

Can i just say that i love this new blog idea! I love how easy it is now for every one to get the support they need!

Empty nesters

Thanks, Becky, you write like you talk---very friendly and helpful. I'm glad to know we are doing OK, as the past 4 or 5 days have been the least losses plus small gains of .2 or .4. I think I just wrote 550 calories, but I was thinking 500. I always cook enough chicken fish, or beef roast for several servings, so I don't worry about weighing it until I serve it. I weigh out 70 to 80 grams of protein per serving, plus a handful of veggies---what I was concerned about is when I steam spinach I use more like 2 handfuls---or else there wouldn't be much on our plates---the fresh veggies defintely appear as more---but I don't think the extra spinach should cause a problem. Getting the pounds off has been strong enough motivation for both of us to make sticking with this plan worth it!

My husband and I want to go for the 40-day this first round. Today (Monday for a few more minutes) is day 23. We have taken drops each day, as we didn't know for sure if we would stop at this point---but we are feeling good and want to go the 40 days which leaves us 17 more days, So---seeing what my weight has done each day, would you suggest we skip HCG drops say on Wed. the 11th (day 25) and then skip again 7 days later on Wed. the 18th (day 32) and then continue HCG drops daily until Thurs. the 26th (day 40)? Or would you suggest we just keep taking the HCG daily through day 40? With the 40-day plan, do you stop HCG drops on day 40 and then have the same 3-day "holding plan" of staying on the 500 calories/day while the HCG leaves the body---and then you start the 6 weeks of maintenance?

I see what you mean about the 6 weeks of maintenance vs. 8 weeks off. Right now I think I will want to eat carefully as you suggested by adding what's legal, with the plan being to go back to the HCG and 500 calories again in 6 weeks. Maybe by the time we need to make that decision, your blog will let us see how others are doing as they make different choices. Ted and I have journaled in the book each day and kept notes on everything in a quick & easy way---which your spacing provides, and we are sure glad we did!

One complication for me has been some constipation which didn't become a problem until about 4 or 5 days ago---and then some help was needed to get the cement moving! I've noticed BM's started disappearing on a daily basis and went to every 4 or 5 days, and got firmer with time. This last episode needed some help so I took a Ducolax which did the trick. The only time I've been constipated that I can remember was after 2 surgeries (in 2004 and 2007). Is there something that can be taken during this 40-day process that will help avoid the constipation?

Thanks for your time in answering our questions as we continue our journey!

Empty Nesters,

Mesa, AZ

Rn mom

Hey Becky,
Just a question on this second round. I am loosing in spite of cheating. Down 6 pounds in 9 days. My biggest problem is that I am so hungry most of the time. I read in the manuscript to increase my calories to 800-1000/day. Any idea what the best way to do this is? Do I change what I eat or eat the same things, just more of them?

Sorry to bug you, have researched but not sure. I am thinking that because the manuscript says to continue the hcg for the full 23 days and diet for 26 and "only then to eat what you want except for starches and sugars" that I should maybe just eat the same things, maybe adding more protein or another meal. What are your thoughts?

Rn mom,

mesa, az

anonymous

Becky -- good morning.

Update on my Progress

I began the HCG program on 1/21 (1st loading day) and as of this morning I have lost 16.2 lbs!!!

Tip to Share With Others

It is hit or miss out there sometimes with fruit in terms of it being ripe/flavorful -- so I've done this with strawberries which right now are not real sweet

• I pour just a little of the fruit tea drink (your recipe) into the bottom of a bowl
• add a few drops of plain Stevia (to really sweeten it)
• slice my fresh strawberries in and let them soak up the juice a little
• wonderful flavor!!
• I use this trick as well with my 1/2 grapefruit (i'm not a lemon or grapefruit fan...so this tip just gives it a little sweetening which is great)

Feel free to share this with your groups!

Your friend, AZ

empty nesters

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

Welcome to Pure & Simple Health!

Our goal is to assist you in acheiving the healthly lifestyle you and have been searching for. At Pure & Simple Health we keep it affordable and SIMPLE!

We are excited to bring you the best products! At Pure & Simple Health our team stays searching for new and inovative ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle! With our exstensive research we can help you make the best choices for your families needs!!

Our professional and knowledgeable team is ready to assist you in your quest for Pure & Simple Health!

HCG is a breakthrough weight-loss method that is being praised by physicians, dieticians, and personal trainers alike as "the most effective form of weight-loss on the market."

• Our HCG Weight Loss System ustilizes a HOMEOPATHIC version of HCG. We are thrilled to bring you an affordable healthy alternative to the traditional HCG. There are many benefits from taking this homeopathic remedy:

• NO DAILY SHOTS!
• UNLIMITED SHELF LIFE!
• COST EFFECTIVE!
• NO MEDICAL TESTS REQUIRED!
• AMAZING RESULTS!
• SIMPLE TO USE!