Cycling/Interuptions – Explained
HCG – This Article Inspired Me To Cycle;
I understood when making this choice that there was a possibility that stabilizing would be a uphill climb.I admit that I am a impatient person. I also want to point out that I respect and admire the HCGers that choose to do the rounds and breaks correctly as protocol is designed. Patience IS a virtue … I decided on the “fast track”…But hey, they (meaning me) don’t call me “lab rat” for nothing đ – Colleen
Here is another HCGer’s journey –
I have been getting lots of questions on cycling lately. Itâs not something that I can give a short answer to (is anything ever in my world?) so I decided to write an article about it. There are several things that come into play that made me decide to do what I assumed would be my âfinalâ round in cycles.
There are more than a few things that come into play â and these are things that I have personally come up with having months on months of PURIST PROTOCOL under my belt, along with rounds that totaled 8 weeks (1st Round), 6 weeks (2nd Round), 3 weeks (3rd Round) and 4 weeks (4th Round) before I even considered doing things this way.
Why do I say that? I get questioned sometimes about my pulling away from Dr. Simeonâs book, and what gives me that right? First, I have the right because I did 4 rounds (total of 21 weeks with a loss of 98.8 lbs) following his protocol to a âTâ â I have the supporting data to find out what works and what doesnât for me and I have used that information to make informed decisions on my own âself doctoringâ path that I have chosen in My HCG Journey.
In looking over how I arrived at the decision to spend my 5th round in cycles, I considered the following:
- Head in the Game
- Minimum Course
- Unforeseen Interruptions
- P3 Breaks
- Jump Start Losses
Letâs go over this ONE by ONE.
Head in the Game
I wrote an article and in it was discussed the whole MIND GAME routine we play with ourselves and how it relates to the protocol. I have found that it is EASY PEASY to commit to a âshort roundâ and have the OPTION of making it longer, than trying to do this long butt round and being disappointed in the results. So since I knew what the MINIMUM course was â I figured I could be on HCG for 3 weeks at a time. Ah, so then my next point logically is this:
Minimum Course
In his book Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeonâs says this under âDuration of Treatmentâ:
We never give a treatment lasting less than 26 days, even in patients needing to lose only 5 pounds. It seems that even in the mildest cases of obesity the diencephalon requires about three weeks rest from the maximal exertion to which it has been previously subjected in order to regain fully its normal fat-banking capacity. Clinically this expresses itself in the fact that when in these mild cases treatment is stopped as soon as the weight is normal, which may be achieved in a week, it is much more easily regained than after a full course of 23 injections.
So it stands to reason that you can do a SHORT course as per his instructions with NO issues. In doing SHORT cycles like this, you will then ward off any possibility of âImmunityâ that Dr. Simeonâs talks about in his book. In any case, I have my thoughts on IMMUNITY as well; in so much as it is NOT the factor that Dr. Simeonâs thought it was in his day. The unfortunate thing is that Dr. Simeonâs passed long before he could complete his research â but really, this is a thought for another day.
So we have established that 3 week cycles are AOK â now what about the breaks? Letâs look at what Dr. Simeonâs says about âUnforeseen Interruptionsâ:
Unforeseen Interruptions
Unforeseen Interruptions of Treatment
If an interruption of treatment lasting more than four days is necessary, the patient must increase his diet to at least 800 Calories by adding meat, eggs, cheese, and milk to his diet after the third day, as otherwise he will find himself so hungry and weak that he is unable to go about his usual occupation. If the interval lasts less than two weeks the patient can directly resume injections and the 500-Calorie diet, but if the interruption lasts longer he must again eat normally until he has had his third injection.
When a patient knows beforehand that he will have to travel and be absent for more than four days, it is always better to stop injections three days before he is due to leave so that he can have the three days of strict dieting which are necessary after the last injection at home. This saves him from the almost impossible task of having to arrange the 500 Calorie diet while en route, and he can thus enjoy a much greater dietary freedom from the day of his departure. Interruptions occurring before 20 effective injections have been given are most undesirable, because with less than that number of injections some weight is liable to be regained. After the 20th injection an unavoidable interruption is merely a loss of time.
In other words, he says there would be situations that would be needed to be considered where you had to take a break, you would have to have AT LEAST 800 calories and that if the interruption was LESS than 14 days you go straight back into VLCD with your first dose of HCG, but if it were LONGER than 14 days you would eat NORMALLY for two days with HCG and then the THIRD DAY would be a VLCD day with a dose of HCG. And he also tells us that after the 20th injection, you are pretty safe â so are you beginning to see my line of reasoning in my breaks?
I have chosen to keep my breaks while I am CYCLING this round to between 7 â 10 days long each. That is my choice. But you have until the 21st day on a break for it still to be considered a cycle because anything MORE than that would be an ENTIRE PHASE 3 break, and your round would be complete. A round is a COMPLETE Phase 2 and a COMPLETE Phase 3 â and then however many days you decide to do in Phase 4 â anything less than that it becomes a cycle (or it does in my world!).
So then, what happens when I am breaking for 7 â 10 days?
P3 Breaks
You have to follow the same procedure as you do with a regular P3 break; you do it with NO sugars and NO starches. This cycling thing is not for the faint of heart, no maâam. You must maintain during the short break or your time will be wasted. Believe me, I speak from experience. This last short break I took has been the best so far since I started cycling, as I have lost a total of 7 pounds in 7 days. I started at only 2.4 over my LIW â and within 48 hours I was already below LIW and into âvirgin territoryâ. Let me illustrate:
From LIW which was on August 18 (148.2) till today, September 9 (143.6) I have lost a total of 4.6 lbs in 21 days, of which only 10 of those days were VLCD, the other 11 days were spent maintaining and eating pretty much how I want. 4.6 lbs in 21 days on ANY weight loss program is pretty sweet. When you consider the loss of 4.6 lbs in 10 VLCD days? Well then, that is even MORE sweet. In other words, it WORKS for me.
Last but not least, as with anyone with a bunch of data behind them, they know one thing for sure:
LOSSES ARE BETTER AT THE BEGINNING OF A ROUND
Yup! I didnât have to tell you this did I? I like those monster losses at the beginning and my head is way more into the game then, so why should I suffer? At first, I was like everyone else, afraid this wouldnât work after the first time, but here I am over 100 lbs lost later, and it is STILL working. So that being said, that is why I chose to CYCLE.
HCG Lingo – How to Understand The Terminology
What does all the HCG Abbreviations Mean?
Phase one – Prepping for the HCG diet per the Miracle Cure Book.
VLCD – Very Low Calorie Diet
TOM – Time of the Month
POP – Perfectly on Protocol
MOP=My Own Protocol – for people who make alterations to the “OP” (original protocol).
LDW – Last Dosage Weight
LIW – Last Injection Weight
P2 – When on HCG 500 calorie protocol
P3 – Stabilization phase between rounds (phase 3)
P4 – Lifetime maintenance (phase 4)
Rounds – When on P2 (phase 2)
Round length – Either 23 day or 40 day
Cycling/Interruption – When only off of P2 for no more than 14 days then go back into a new round (no loading required)
Correction Day – Done when you are more than 2 pounds above LDW or LIW.
There are many different types of “Correction Days”. One whole post could be dedicated to this subject alone. It usually ends up being a “single” food day.
HCG Steak Day
Egg Day
Sorry Not a Egg Fan =/
Fat Fast
And….Mug Cake Follow the Link …Super Yummy!
etc.
HCG Lemon Truffle
I must warn this is like Chocolate Delight in that some people incorporate it into P2 and get great results others experience a gain or stall….Proceed at your own risk.
Recipe:
1 tsp lemon zest
…juice of one lemon
1/2 cup “powdered” Truvia* or Stevia
1 cup Coconut BUTTER (Artisana brand) or Tropical Traditions brand “Coconut Cream Concentrate”
microwave coconut butter for about one minute and stir thoroughly till well mixed
Using a magic-bullet like single serving blender, blend Truvia while shaking to make into a powdered sugar like consistency.
With a wire whisk, stir in zest, juice and Truvia or Stevia .
Incorporate the coconut butter while stirring.
Mixture will thicken rather quickly
Using a spoon or small gauge cookie dough scooper, divide out onto parchment paper into small balls.
refrigerate for a few minutes and with your hands, roll out to make smooth bite size truffles.
Where to find ingredients for this recipe
How To Make Coconut Butter
Put unsweetened coconut in a strong blender, and blend and when you think it should be done blending , blend some more…wiping down the sides….. blend until almost liquid consistency, and TA-DA – you have coconut butter! You can add a little MCT oil if you want it spreadable.
Where to find ingredients for this recipe:
HCG – Mini Steak Day Explained
Question –
I listened to your vlog and then went to your website and you said “Steak was eaten if I decided to do a mini steak day. I use to like doing that one day a week during my rounds.”
Can you tell me exactly what you ate on your mini steak days and did this help with not stalling?
Would love to know!
Answer –
Back in the day there was a wonderful HCGer from the UK that would vlog and had wonderful results. She talked about a “propa” mini steak day. I started doing it too and liked doing it one day a week while on P2. All it is , is this – 4 OZ of lean steak and one apple. It is up to you if you want to divide it up or divide it though the day. I would get the best fillet Mignon in the butcher case and the tastiest apple and save it all for my dinner portion. Of course drink lots of water and tea through out the day till then.
And YES – Every week ( I chose to do mini steak days on Saturday) I saw a NICE release to “cap off” the week đ
The Fat Fast Explained – And How it Can Work with HCG
ï»ż
Atkins Article : The Fat Fast
Counterintuitive as it may sound, if you can’t budge the scale , a few days on this regimen may well allow you to break through metabolic resistance.
Certain individuals are so metabolically resistant that only more intense dietary restrictions prove successful. Once medications, thyroid problems and candida are brought under control, almost all overweight people who diligently adhere to the Atkins Nutritional Approachâą will lose and keep off weight. But for the small group of people for whom it does not work, more extreme measures are necessary.
To help these metabolically resistant people, Dr. Atkins has modified what he calls “the most effective weight-loss eating pattern ever described.” British researchers Alan Kekwick and Gaston Pawan developed it, and Frederick Benoit and his team confirmed its superiority in burning off fat, compared to an absolute total fast. This extreme diet consists of 1,000 calories daily, comprised of 90 percent fat. No other weight-loss regimen has matched its ability to burn off stored fat. Dr. Atkins modified the Kekwick diet to make it as enjoyable as possible and dubbed it the “Fat Fast.” He tried it on scores of patients and found it often worked for those who were unable to lose weight in any other safe, drug-free way.
The Kekwick diet forces the body into lipolysis so it burns its stores of fat. Lipolysis cannot take place if there is a significant source of glucose. Since all carbohydrates and some protein convert to energy by way of glucose, eliminating almost everything but fat from the diet forces even the most resistant body into lipolysis. That explains the 90 percent dietary-fat component. Lowering the caloric intake accelerates the need to burn up body fatâthus the 1,000-calorie limit.
The Fat Fast is one controlled carb program where you do have to count calories. You’ll eat 1,000 calories a day, with 75 percent to 90 percent comprised of fat. Frequent feedings prevent hunger better than three meals a day, so you consume five feedings, perhaps one every four hours, comprising 200 calories each. Because of the high fat content and frequent feedings, very few people experience much hunger. The stumbling block for some people is the absence of conventional meals. But most are willing to stick with it for a few days, even if the food selections are unfulfilling.
Caution: The Fat Fast is actually dangerous for anyone who is not metabolically resistant. For people who lose weight fairly easily, the rate of weight loss is too rapid to be safe. But it carries very little risk for people who can barely lose on any other regimen.
Step One: Eat Mostly Fat Begin with five 200-calorie feedings per day and follow for four or five days. Each item equals approximately 200 calories:
one ounce of macadamia nuts or macadamia nut butter two ounces of cream cheese or Brie one ounce of tuna or chicken salad with two teaspoons of mayonnaise served in one-quarter of an avocado two deviled eggs made with two teaspoons of mayonnaise two ounces of sour cream and two tablespoons black or red caviar two and a half ounces whipped heavy cream topped with sucralose zero-calorie syrup two ounces of pùté (check label for fat content) two egg yolks (hard-boiled) with one tablespoon of mayonnaise
Step Two: Modify the Fat Fast If increasing the fat-to-carbohydrate ratio and cutting calories work, any dietary change in that direction might get the job done. Next, you can try four meals a day of roughly 300 calories for a total of 1,200 calories. That should work, too, and what it allows is definitely more appealing to the taste buds:
two ounces of beef chuck (do not drain fat) cooked in two tablespoons of olive oil two scrambled eggs with two strips of nitrate-free bacon two tablespoons of full-fat sour cream with a tablespoon of sugar-free syrup one-quarter cup chicken or tuna salad made with two tablespoons of mayonnaise three ounces of pùté (check label for fat content) one-and-a-half ounces of macadamia nuts
*Thanks to the Atkins Center for the above article.
I personally simplify this whole thing down to doing just the one ounce mac nuts servings in 5 small bags. Which is 5 ounces total for the day;)
My Recent Experience –
When I got back from enjoying my brother’s wedding in Hawaii I could still wear all my clothes that I always wear quite comfortably. That is a good thing but I point this out because though I don’t think someone should have to take their scale on vacation, it is still very important to get back on track once you are back from happily indulging.
Sometimes how your clothes fit isn’t enough of a gauge and leads to the weight creeping back up on us.
This is what happened to me – I got back and on Monday (5-2-11) weighing in at 129.1. That is definitely considered “Danger Zone” for me. I did as I now call the “nut fast” and this morning Wed.(5-4-11) I weighed in at 123.1.
So by tomorrow I should be back to what my body prefers which is 122.
As long as you keep on top of it, once you are at goal and everyday you have your new “set point” your body will strive to get back to that number.
That my friends is a very good thing đ
**A warning about the fat fast **
I want to point out two things about this “trick”.
You must go back to strict protocol after doing this (if on P2) or eat super clean afterward (P3&4) to give your body the time to adjust to the flux that just happened to it.
Basically giving you body a chance to be o.k. with the sudden release and not try to go back to the weight it was before.
The other warning is – Don’t do this for long, I would say 3 days MAX. I no longer have a gallbladder but those of you that do, the increase of fats in your system could aggravate the gallbladder and cause problems. Quite simply, you certainly don’t want that.
HCG Question of the Day – Fat Release Tricks
Question – TOM arrived (time of the month) and I am experiencing water weight gain đ
If you have any suggestions that aren’t currently on your vlogs.. let me know cause I’m ready to be a rebel.. LOL
Answer – My goodness all the tricks I’ve tried, maybe I should put together a montage vlog.
For water weight an apple day is a natural diuretic. You just have to be sure to limit your water intake the day you do the apples.
When on P2 I have liked doing mini steak days. All that is 4 oz steak and 1 apple for the day.
I also have done the fat fast which can be a few different foods but for me is only mac nuts. I divide up 5 one ounce bags for the day. Another trick I tried but didn’t get a chance to do it till I was done with P2 was the Mug Cake and Steak Day.
Many hcger’s have experimented with the later when on P2 and strangely enough experienced great fat releases even though it doesn’t seem to make sense. With all of these I have found that you need to be very strict on protocol or clean eating after these tricks or the release will be short lived.
Lunch: 100 grams of sirloin
Dinner: 100 grams of sirloin + Mac Mug Cake (recipe below)
Don’t forget to drink all of your water!
The recipe I preferred –
Mug Cake
1/2 oz Mac nuts ( ground)
1 tbsp coco powder
2 pkt stevia
3 tbsp heavy cream
1 tbsp coconut oil melted
And 1 egg
Mix it together and cook for about 60 sec.
Another Variation –
1/2 oz. of macadamia nuts (or 6 whole nuts), ground into a flour consistency
1/2 Tbl. dark cocoa
1/2 Tbl. cocoa
1-1/2 Tbl. xylitol
2 packets of Splenda for coffee, vanilla flavor (in the coffee aisle,optional)
1 egg
3 Tbl. heavy cream
1 Tbl. coconut oil
1 capful of s/f flavored syrup, Davinci or Torani (optional)
Fat-free Reddy Whip (topping, optional)
In a coffee mug, combine ground mac nuts, cocoas, xylitol, and splenda. Add one egg and mix well with a fork. Add cream and syrup and stir. Last, add coconut oil. If it clumps, break it up with a fork.
Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Some people had to microwave up to 2 more minutes. Let cool for a few minutes.
Top with fat-free Reddy Whip or any whipped cream around 10 calories per serving.
HCG Questions Answered – Fat Releases,Hunger,Exercise,Expectations
HCG and Diet Tricks for other Diet Plans too!
A very sweet HCGer wrote –
Thanks so much for all this wonderful info. You are so amazing to take the time to share your experience, advice and recommendations for us fellow and newbie HCGers… I have a couple of questions for you since this is the first time I am doing this on my own.
Question – I have had good results of 11.6 lbs in 22 days… But here are my concerns maybe you can provide some insight on. I am doing injections 5000iu and started off at 150 but a week and 1/2 into it, I lowered it to 125. Some days I will do anywhere from 125-145… I will only slightly increase it if the day before I was a bit hungrier than I am comfortable with, or if my cravings are outa this world, so I have only done this about 3 times after starting 125. Um other than that? i am not sure what is going on.
My Answer â I think lowering to 125 was a good idea. The days you feel you need to increase I wonder why you donât move up only by lets say 5 to 130. Spiking to 145 could very well be too much. You are mixing with 10 ml Bac water right?
As far as cravings â Have you tried other tricks instead of increasing your dose to cut the cravings or hunger pangs?
AVC/MCT drink shot
L-Glutamine (poured under the tongue)
Or even just ACV â Apple Cider Vinegar
Question – I was expecting a much bigger loss, although 11.6 is great! I am seeing WAY bigger losses for so many other people so I am getting a bit discouraged… =( and since I am doing about 30ish days,I was thinking about increasing to 46 days, but don’t know if it is worth it at the rate I am going…
My Answer â You havenât said your start weight or your goal so if you donât have a lot of abnormal fat the amount you have released in 22 days is awesome.
People talk about a pound or more a day. As we know women release less than men can. I know when I was expecting a pound a day, men on HCG would comment back that half a pound for women was more realistic. Darn those guys â Lol.
Question – I have also noticed my body losing inches, but not really around my tummy area, or upper arms which are the HUGEST problem areas for me. I only am noticing a great difference in my thighs, hips and buttocks, (mainly the last). Do you think this is normal? I am starting to think maybe my HCG is not potent or I may be doing something wrong…
My Answer â My arms were the last to show a significant loss in inches. Since Dr.S called his protocol âPound & Inchesâ I bet you look as though you have lost 22 pounds as far as how much you have shrunk. Where you are losing first, have patience it will all proportion in the long run since this is all based on releasing the abnormal fat.
Question –Â I have cut out melba/grissini out and sometimes only eat one fruit. I am following Dr. S original protocol, so I do not know why these results seem to be “not normal” or fairly low… Do you think I may just have too high expectations?
My Answer â Early in my rounds I didnât care about the grissini either and I would skip fruit a lot of times. BUT it wasnât to try to increase my releases. I wasnât hungry so I didnât care about it.
If you are experiencing hunger you should at least add the fruit back in. Definitely keep your protein consumption, which is important.
Question – Also, what do you feel about exercising, like ab work and arm/leg toning? As for the exercise, I was going to the gym for about 3-4 weeks prior to beginning HCG… but cut it out when I started
My Answer â Since your body was use to the exercise then it stopped your body probably thought âwhat the heck happened?â. If it was me at this point I wouldnât go full blown back into the routine you had been doing before (I donât know what that was, cardio, weights etc). But start back to walking to get your heart going đ
What you didnât ask about but I want to add is â
Are you drinking the proper amount of water?
Here comes TMI â are your bowel movements consistent?
Have you done a Detox Bath?
When you eat your protein are you not consuming too much beef?
I mainly go for fish and chicken.
Steak was eaten if I decided to do a mini steak day. I use to like doing that one day a week during my rounds.
And are you sure that you are eating the correct veggies for P2 and also not mixing types of veggies.
The last question is for those that are using the original protocol.
I know there are variations floating out there. I need to still look into those further before I can have a âsayâ about them.
Journal what you are eating everyday and see if you can see a common thread. For example there are some HCGerâs that even though oranges are on P2 find that every time they decide to eat an orange they didnât have a release or they might even have a slight gain. The argument Iâve heard is âan orange has the same calories as an appleâ
But you know what? The 2 fruits do different things in and for your body.
Example â apples are a natural diuretic which is why Dr. Simeon came up with âapple dayâ. It wasnât for the patient to release fat. It was so mentally the patient would âfeel betterâ because they would see the scale numbers go down. It was simply water weight that made the difference. This is also why though we are suppose to drink plenty of water while on P2 â if we do an apple day he said to keep water consumption to a minimum.
Now remember everyone â I am not a Doctor, I am a fellow HCGer that likes helping others with their journey! đ
HCG Question â New to HCG and Have Questions Before I Start
HCG Question â New to HCG and have Questions Before I Start
I’m getting ready to begin my HCG journey the first of May. I’m so excited, yet at the same time I’m scared! Between your channel (loseit4ever), Mamaclok on You Tube, I’m getting a lot of information, and becoming more assured that I’m doing the right thing for my health.
I do have a few questions. I haven’t had a chance to go through very many of your vlogs, but can you tell me:
Question –Â Can I continue to take my blood pressure and water pill meds while on HCG?
Answer – When I started I was on thyroid medicine and was told I should stay on it. Always best to ask your doctor and Google if there are any interactions with combining.
Question – I also take melatonin to help with sleep.
MY Answer â I think Melatonin is good and fine while on HCG.
Question – And would you recommend a supplement for energy?
MY Answer â Many HCGers take B12. I take a lot of different supplements that also give me energy. But what I want to be sure is understood is that when on proper HCG the abnormal fat stores are being burned. Too many people only look at the 500 cal consumption and worry they will be weak and you wonât be. I wasnât weak, lightheaded, none of that during my rounds.
Question –Â What do you recommend is best to eat during load days? I see Mamaclok ate donuts, but are there recommended “gorge” foods?
My Answer â Since that vlog I think Karen would agree better âgorgeâ choices are good fats. One successful HCGer loves to eat a big bowl of guacamole. I make sure I eat foods that I think I will âmissâ once Iâm on protocol. Mexican food and even though it has sugar, ice cream which is also high fat so the fat will slow the absorption rate of the sugar into my system.Other HCGers like to eat fatty meats as well.
Question – Is loose skin expected with hcg weight loss?
My Answer â The great thing about HCG is we release the fat quickly. The thing is then your skin needs to play âcatch upâ. If I had it to do over again I would have taken the MSM in mega doses as soon as I started HCG.
Question – I see where you were talking about the ACV/MSM cocktail shot – at what phase is this advisable?
My Answer â I came up with the ACV/MSM shot for P2ers.Even though I have done the ACV/ MCT during P2. Since MCT is a oil I prefer a new P2er doesnât do that one until there a reason for going that direction.
Question –I currently take Perfect Food green powder mixed in water, because I don’t eat enough veggies. I’ve never checked the caloric content, though I guess it should be low, and fat free. Would you recommend continuing with it?
My Answer â You would have to let me know the ingredients. How many carbs or possible sugar does it have?
Question –Â Where did you purchase your hcg? (I plan on doing mine sublingually)
My Answer â I did injections but sublingual also uses RX HCG so you can still purchase from where I did if you want. I have ordered from 3 different places.
Reliable Pharmacy (reasonable prices and reliable;)
Pharmacy Escrow (1st place I ever ordered from)
All Day Chemist (tried them because other hcgers mentioned them a lot)
My Favorite to order from
….um, did I say a few questions! Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your experience, encouragement, and advice. I look forward to – as my time allows- viewing more of your uploads.
MY Answer â LOL – no worries , I LOVE to HELP! đ
HCG Questions Answered – ” Why am I hungry?”
HCG Sublingual Question
Question – On youtube an new HCGer asked –
Hi, Can you tell me what to do: I am doing sublingual and I am on vlcd day 3 and i am still very hungry. I am taking .5ml of the mixture 2xs per day. Can you tell me what to do? thanks!
MY ANSWER –
I have only done injections but this is what I know-I still had hunger till I was further into my 1st week. Another thing is there is what I call “the sweet spot.”That is when you know you are at the right dose because the hunger is gone. More doesn’t always mean better either. If your dose is too high or too low that can cause hunger. I know, what the heck right? Mamaclok did a whole FAQ vlog on youtube, she is the best at Sub. I feature her video here on my website because I know she knows her stuff.
Here is the link to Karen’s (youtube channel name mamaclok) video –Â Sublingual FAQ
Recent Comments