[TughEmotteTug]

I started two weeks ago and did well for a couple days, then completely lost it. I've cheated every day since VLCD 3, mainly with Mt. Dew, not so much with actual food. I know that I failed because I didn't prepare and plan well enough. I am fortunate that even with all the cheating, I haven't gained any weight. I'm actually 3lbs down from my pre-load weight.

Now, I'm completely at a loss. I don't know if I should stop my injections (I have enough for a long cycle according to the protocol), or if I should continue. I'm not as busy now and I know I can dedicate myself to sticking to protocol for the remainder of the time, but if the cheating messed it up so completely that I won't be able to stabilize or reset my hypothalamus, is it a waste of time continuing at this juncture? If you think I should continue, I presume that I wouldn't need to reload since I've still been taking the injections. Also, I've read that people stabilize better after 30+ days. Since I mucked up the first 2 weeks, should I continue until I begin experiencing immunity even if that goes beyond 43 days so that I'm more likely to stabilize?

I would really appreciate some input from some of the veterans and/or anyone who has had an experience such as mine! Thanks in advance!

[f29sXS07]

If your head is in the game, resume the round. Otherwise you are only 2 weeks in and that has little chance of working out well.

Planning is crucial.
Take a look at your calendar. Any potential troublesome events coming up? Birthday, wedding, reunion, etc? Have a plan for those events.

Plan to carry an apple and a bottle of water everywhere, so if you get stuck and are delayed, you avoid the temptation of hitting the drive-thru.

Plan your meals in advance. Make sure you have enough P2 foods on hand. Get all the junk food and Mt. Dew out of the house.

Know what triggers your cheating and prepare in advance how you will handle it.


Extending the round
If you have or can get the additional HCG, stay on P2 for the full 34 days of injections. Do not load again. Give yourself the best chance at succeeding.

Be prepared for stalls and slowdowns.

Carb addictions have to be starved. Substitute herbal tea or a non-food alternative when you need to.


Support and encouragement
Read Success Stories of those who have stayed with it and lost the weight. Realize it's a very short-term diet with results like nothing else.

Read Tough Love for Potential Cheats

Remind yourself why you started this whole process.


Good luck!

[Pataacculako]

Itsybitsy has some great advice I would listen to it...
..
But, first of all you need to forgive yourself, we all make mistakes... Learn from yours.. Build your resolve and move forward..

Even if you stop at this point.. I would not call it "quitting".. Never Ever Quit...

If you cant dedicate yourself to this endeavor.. Then I would regroup and re energize yourself... Dont look at it as quitting... see it as reavulating your gameplan... live to fight another day... then come back with a better plan and better frame of mind.

[Ephedrine]

Thank you both for your replies. I did as you both suggested and continued on. After VLCD 2 (starting my count over so it's easier for me to track), I'm down 2.8 lbs. I expect my losses may not be as great as they would have been if I hadn't had a horrible first two weeks, but I'll take anything at this point. I know I can do it, I just have to take the time to prepare my meals in advance.

My big problem is that I work nights and I'm never hungry during the day. I don't have time to eat at work, so I usually satiate my hunger with Mt. Dew. Then when I get home I don't feel like cooking. It's probably strange, but food is not my problem. It's nothing for me to go 2-3 days without eating. Between not eating nutritious meals regularly and drinking so much soda, I've destroyed my metabolism. However, I have done as you suggested. There is no soda in my home. I've weighed everything and packaged them individually, and cooking enough at once to last me a couple days.

My biggest concern was whether the cheating would prevent me from stabilizing in P3. I am scared to go the remaining 30+ days, and have all that work be for nothing if I can't stabilize. I don't know if I could handle it if I work that hard at it and lose weight, only to put it right back on in P3. I'm just holding out hope that if I stick to protocol for the last 30+ days, that it will overrule what I did in the beginning. If there is anyone that has gone through a similar situation, I would be very grateful to hear how their P3 and P4 went.

[Misebeita]

Thank you both for your replies. I did as you both suggested and continued on. After VLCD 2 (starting my count over so it's easier for me to track), I'm down 2.8 lbs. I expect my losses may not be as great as they would have been if I hadn't had a horrible first two weeks, but I'll take anything at this point. I know I can do it, I just have to take the time to prepare my meals in advance.

My big problem is that I work nights and I'm never hungry during the day. I don't have time to eat at work, so I usually satiate my hunger with Mt. Dew. Then when I get home I don't feel like cooking. It's probably strange, but food is not my problem. It's nothing for me to go 2-3 days without eating. Between not eating nutritious meals regularly and drinking so much soda, I've destroyed my metabolism. However, I have done as you suggested. There is no soda in my home. I've weighed everything and packaged them individually, and cooking enough at once to last me a couple days.

My biggest concern was whether the cheating would prevent me from stabilizing in P3. I am scared to go the remaining 30+ days, and have all that work be for nothing if I can't stabilize. I don't know if I could handle it if I work that hard at it and lose weight, only to put it right back on in P3. I'm just holding out hope that if I stick to protocol for the last 30+ days, that it will overrule what I did in the beginning. If there is anyone that has gone through a similar situation, I would be very grateful to hear how their P3 and P4 went.

Sounds like you are on your way to making positive changes. Hang in there and let us know how it goes!

[Super-Luser]

That's good advice up there. Don't freak out over a cheat. But if you truly want to do this then you will make the efforts to resist the cheat, which I know is hard to do, but still can be done. It also depends on what the cheat did to you. I had 2 cheese and cracker snacks yesterday because my wife was eating them. However this morning I was stilll down a pound which is my normal loss.......so that little cheat had no effect, but I'm not going to do that everyday...see what I mean. Now I did resist the cold beer my buddy was offering last nite.....and for me that was hard, but I did it. One last thing. I also work in a job that doesn't really give time to eat a lunch, I found that if I have time to drink a bottle of water then I have time to eat one of my meals. I just make sure that I have it with me ...... with my water....so when that opportunity comes up then I grab a quick bite or 2. Good luck and don't beat yourself up.....just focus on your goal. I've got 40 pounds left to go.........I've lost 60....so that's my focus point.