[Meowmeowz]

I'm also on the fence about this, and being very selective about who I tell. I have an online network of around 2,000 people through FB, twitter, etc. for my personal life and business, and that's a LOT of opinions. I just don't want to deal with it right now.

2 years ago I lost 24 pounds in 6 weeks using Advocare, which was great, but EXPENSIVE. I got encouragement then, but also tons of negative energy about how the plan was unhealthy, unmanageable over time, and unrealistic to continue. This time, I decided it's my business.

My hubby and kids know, but they've been told not to divulge the hcg part, just that 'Mommy started exercising last month and is eating really lean'. I have a close friend who thinks she knows everything about everything and is really big into naturopathic methods, but has a way of making you feel inferior. Yesterday she was preaching at me for drinking tea, claiming it 'dehydrated you and you have to double your water intake to account for it'. Of course I came home, googled it and found she was wrong. She also looks down on me for taking prescription medication (I'm bi-polar, so it's pretty darn important stuff to keep my brain chemistry balanced) but, just yesterday she bought OTC decongestants for her kid at Wal-Greens. People just like to judge and not necessarily 'practice what they preach'.

I first heard about hcg through my hairdresser 18 months ago, she got the (expensive) injections. Not sure how much she lost, but the whole thing sounded crazy. Then a few of my hubbies co-workers did it. This spring a co-worker (a woman I totally respect) did the 23 days and went from a 10+ to a 6 and never felt better. I watched her do it, and wished for those results, but didn't[ think the plan was really healthy. My sister who is 19 did it this summer, and lost 15 in her 23 days, and she cheated a bit. Then, the last straw for me to really check it out was a lady at church in her 60's who is very highly respected did it, and then gave me all her (too big) clothes. She is what caused me to look into it, since I don't think she'd do anything rash without extensive research and approval from her hubby.

I'm on VLCD day 4, and doing well. I've posted some pics of food I've been cooking and eating, and people have definitely noticed I've been losing weight (I lost about 8 pounds last month just cutting back on my intake, and starting to exercise) so people probably just assume it's that.

It's not that I wouldn't tell someone who was honestly looking for help and needed it, I just plan to do it on a one-on-one basis, at the appropriate time. I'm going to my hubby's family's home this weekend, and not looking forward to the social awkwardness of bringing all my own food.

It's interesting to hear everyone's perspectives on this.