[hs6KnlcW]

This is my second time doing the HCG diet. The first time I lost 56 pounds. I did not then, and will not now, discuss it with my friends or family.
I've seen the way people react to just seeing the stories that have been done on Dr. Oz and Nightline and (other TV news/diet shows)
and absolutely nobody has anything good to say.. expect the real folks who have lost on the the HCG diet, that is.
I KNOW it works and I find myself getting a little angry when I watch the programs where doctors are bashing it as being just another fad diet that doesn't work.
When I lost 56 pounds the first time, I would tell people about ditching the starch and sugar, weighing my meat/fish portions and eating vegetables. Since I'm not open to hearing what others have to say about it, I don't invite their comments by telling them.

[bahrains27]

56 pounds in the first round? That's incredible! How motivating!These forums are great - to be able to share with others who are doing the same thing and have positive things to say.

[UtidaBrar]

I was 247 pounds when I first did the 43 day round. Then I returned for another 23 day round and ended up at 191 pounds.
This summer I did very well until my son came to stay with me while he was in the process of relocating. Something happened to my
resolve or rhythm when I started cooking for him again. I ate like a Jr. farm hand! I shot back up to 215 and am starting
the 45 day round again. So far I'm down to 207 so I can see it still works! (YIPPPPPEEEE) I just hope when I'm done I can do a better job
of keeping it off. I didn't get as far down as I had wanted to. I wasn't "thin" as I had planned to get. But I absolutely loved not being fat as
I was when I started out.

[Brareevor]

I have a close friend who lives out of state who happened to mention she was dieting and losing wit HCG. I had recently heard of some other people at an online forum I frequented who did the same. The fast results got my attention and so after quizzing my friend, I got involved. The only one who knew was my hubby.

After I lost so rapidly that first couple of weeks, my hubby, and a couple of other relatives got really curious. They inquired and all got involved.

I kept it quiet. When people noticed and asked, I told them how much in how long. They were shocked and asked what was I doing.

If they were slim, I said, "Oh you know, the usual-- don't eat all you want or as much as you want." If they were serious because they were fat, I told them about it.

My friends are supportive. No one has been disrespectful. I also do not make a big deal of it, switching requests for lunch dates to coffee dates or until after P2. I do not allow what I am eating or not eating to become the center of attention. I keep a smile on my face so I do not give the appearance of suffering.

All in all, some of my friends and family have started HCG and some have not.

I only bring it up ONE time to anyone who asks. More than that is nagging. It's their decision.

[BoomBully]

I tell a lot of people that the diet I followed is a pretty stict detox diet that creates a metabolic reset. I also tell them that you need to eat all natural foods, nothing with sugar, starch, or anything that is processed and requires reading lots of labels. I have had quite a few people say, oh is it that HCG thing!

If people are being nosey they usually get the response above - if they are genuinely interested I will give them more detailed info, point them to google, or spend more time with them explaining the diet.

I found out from a friend, if he had hidden how he lost the weight I may never have found HCG for myself!

[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.

[hojutok]

I am not one to share.

Yes, I know what I have done here does not support that, but trust in me that it is completely outside of my norm. I am a ridiculously private person.

That being said I would love to share with certain people that I think would see benefit in the program, even delving into a debating forum if need be, as long as they are the type that will gather up sufficient information to march off and learn more on their own (call my conversation a teaser), rather than taking what I said as words from on high.

The last thing I need is someone blaming me because they get some of the deleterious side effects related to this system, or needing me to spoon feed them through the entire process.

I know people that need to lose weight, but few I know of that I would think would be successful on this diet, since it requires a special sort of crazy

[sposteTipsKage]

I just want to share some of my experience with you on the subject of eating off protocol. My husband and I found ourselves unprepared one day at a funeral. We woke very early (4:30 am) and took our drops . We had no time to have coffee so figured we would stop for some. We ran into a ton of traffic and had to forget the coffee. We got to funeral just in time, went to burial afterward. This whole sequence of events was 7 1/2 hours. By the time we got to reception it was 12noon. Needless to say, we were STARVING! We went to the reception ONLY to visit with some family we haven't seen in a long time but we knew as soon as we walked in we were in trouble. We were so hungry and it smelled soooooooooo good, we caved. We ate salad, pasta, bread w/ butter, chicken w/ cream sauce, broccoli w/ garlic & butter, potatoes. On the way home we finally stopped for that coffee and had a donut with it. I ended the night with 1 (ok maybe 2) handfuls of Oreo cookies. I figured since I blew away the day, I might as well annihilate the night too. The next morning I got on the scale and find I gained 1.2 pounds. I was shocked. I thought for sure it would have been 7 minimum. I got right back to protocol. The following day I was down 2.8 and on my way again. The same thing kinda happened to me yesterday. We had a celebration at our church and I was extremely weak (TOM) so I had potato salad, macaroni salad, southern BBQ, coffee w/ cream and sugar, cake, cake, and more cake. This morning I woke up to 1 pound up from yesterday. Again shocked! I'm strick protocol today for sure. I typically don't eat my breadstick and only eat an apple if I am hungry (sitting in traffic). So, I'm hoping tomorrows weigh in shows losses. But, if it doesn't I won't sweat it. I cheated, I must pay the consequence. I know at the end of my P2 I will regret it though for blowing my chance to squeak out another 3-4 pounds. But I feel, I would prefer to hide the diet in certain circumstances.
I'm not telling you to cheat, but if you can't to take your food with you or don't want to, maybe your gain wont be to drastic (if you gain at all). I know it sounds like I ate a lot, but after doing P2 for a few days, your body just doesn't want the quantity. I had a spoonful or two of everything and was full. I made sure I had a large handful of tomatoes and carrots first before anything else. Use your best judgement (if you cheat) and don't forget to hop back onto protocol the next day. Good Luck to you.

[StanWatts]

fbb63 - I'm sure it sounds worse than it was - lol. Its good to know if you do end up 'cheating' - its not the end of the world. I've read all kinds of things regarding that. One being.. if you don't stick to it strictly & waver at all.. you must start over (ugh!). My cravings have been BAD. Tonight - they've let up quite a bit (thank goodness!). For me, its been torture the last few days - I'm hoping the fact tonight has gone better, means I'm over the bad spot

[boiffrona]

alcoholswab: - I'm very private too. There are a few people very close to me who are overweight. I find that they are never happy when I lose weight. In fact - I was telling my friend tonight - that I'm just TRYING to get better control of what I eat/how much etc and you could tell she didn't like it. People like you to be fat with them (I don't mean that to be rude). Also.. I lose weight fairly easily... whereas someone like my sister has a difficult time (yet she cheats constantly when she tries). I somehow manage to be very strict with myself and rarely cave... even though I think its going to kill me - lol However... I reap the results of being like that. Its HARD work.

Sierah: Totally hear you. I don't need or want the negativity either - and I know exactly what people around me think. Until I researched it and understood how it worked.. I can't say I was a big advocate either. However.. I'm not a 'Debbie Downer" and I always try to mind my own business. Unless someone asks for my opinion, I don't generally give it.

itsybitsy: Its so great that you have supportive friends and family. That sure helps. I have to admit - its a little hard NOT saying anything to anybody. Again... so grateful for this forum. Your comment "I keep a smile on my face so I do not give the appearance of suffering." - Too funny!

Doing it 4 me: Love your name. My family is always asking "Who are you wanting to lose weight for?" Totally ticks me off, as I'm totally doing it for ME. People and their ideas - grrrr! Love the explanation you give people. Going to have to remember that wording! Thanks

[BadbarmrapBef]

alcoholswab: - I'm very private too. There are a few people very close to me who are overweight. I find that they are never happy when I lose weight. In fact - I was telling my friend tonight - that I'm just TRYING to get better control of what I eat/how much etc and you could tell she didn't like it. People like you to be fat with them (I don't mean that to be rude). Also.. I lose weight fairly easily... whereas someone like my sister has a difficult time (yet she cheats constantly when she tries). I somehow manage to be very strict with myself and rarely cave... even though I think its going to kill me - lol However... I reap the results of being like that. Its HARD work.

So true and that has been my experience as well. People love to commiserate with you over how rough it is to be heavy, and though they might congratulate you on a loss, you can see that it is not echoed in their eyes. Some of those are the people that come back to rub it in your face when they lose though *giggles*

People are funny, strange and wonderful creatures that constantly make me smile.

I am on the strict side of things, not because I have a wonderful willpower or anything, but because I am loophole boy. If you give me an inch, I will take Europe. I have no middle ground and am an all-or-nothing sort of chap, so I need to go with nothing. My plan is to take Pounds & Inches as canon, and only deviate if it's something important (e.g. ketosis breath in my job and needing to chew sugarless gum to not curl people's eyebrows).

[LymnInvinny]

only deviate if it's something important (e.g. ketosis breath in my job and needing to chew sugarless gum to not curl people's eyebrows).

That's so funny - I actually forgot to brush my teeth before work yesterday. As I work in close proximity to people... I was trying to be careful not to get to close. They'd take a step closer.. I'd take a step back I really didn't want to have a candy or chew gum. It just gets my juices flowing and I figured would make my cravings even worse. Needless to say - first thing this morning... I brushed!

It looks like you're having some awesome losses. That's so great! I'm R1P2D6. Beginning of Day 6 and I've lost 9.2 lbs. Yet.. I woke up this morning, stepped on the scale and was disappointed because I ONLY lost 1.2 lbs since yesterday. Then.. I had to just shake my head and laugh at myself for being so incredibly ridiculous. Over 9 lbs in six days and I'm unhappy? Craziness! You're right... people really ARE funny/strange (and yes, wonderful) creatures.

Shauna

[bixlewlyimila]

Great replies, gang.

I'm not going to do the gum, but so far I'm okay, breathwise. lol!

fbb63: That's crazy about overeating those 2 days. You really went for it, didn't you? Lol! I guess if you are going to just ditch the diet one day, going hardcore and really satisfying your cravings must help emotionally. I know for sure I eat based on my emotions; the funny thing is that it's both when I'm happy, and when I'm upset. Go figure. No wonder my metabolism has been so messed up!

I'm nervous about this weekend, we are travelling Thursday and Sunday, and with family in between. There won't be any subtle way to eat 'under the radar', since my MIL LOVES to cook for us, and Saturday is a big family party, with all hubby's relatives, so it will definitely stand out when I don't eat there. Hubby is backing me up though, I'm just going to bring my own food, and try to be gracious about it. Being around the smells of it all will be a bit hard though; can you say 'MEXICAN FOOD!!!???'. I have to make lunches for my kids in the morning, and dinner at night though, so I'm getting accustomed to just ignoring it.

echo: It's good to hear I'm not alone! I'm actually just a day or 2 off from you, I'm going to start a thread for people who are close to us when they started, it's good to support each other in the right timing. Here is the new buddy thread for those loading the week of Oct. 12 Join me!

[Slchtjgb]

The only person that knows is my hubby - can you imagine telling people that I inject myself daily with a hormone that I can only get from India???? I'm sure they would think I was bonkers HA HA Sometimes I think I'm crazy for doing this but then again it's working

So no I didn't tell anyone else.

[pushokalex1]

The only person that knows is my hubby - can you imagine telling people that I inject myself daily with a hormone that I can only get from India???? I'm sure they would think I was bonkers HA HA Sometimes I think I'm crazy for doing this but then again it's working

So no I didn't tell anyone else.

Claire... very funny I think it makes sense (how it works). And I'm definitely the type who NEEDS to understand how things work before I can believe in them.

[bactrimtab]

Sierah That's great. I'll check it out after work. It will be so nice to have someone else close! Thanks

[icerrelmCam]

That's so funny - I actually forgot to brush my teeth before work yesterday. As I work in close proximity to people... I was trying to be careful not to get to close. They'd take a step closer.. I'd take a step back I really didn't want to have a candy or chew gum. It just gets my juices flowing and I figured would make my cravings even worse. Needless to say - first thing this morning... I brushed!

It looks like you're having some awesome losses. That's so great! I'm R1P2D6. Beginning of Day 6 and I've lost 9.2 lbs. Yet.. I woke up this morning, stepped on the scale and was disappointed because I ONLY lost 1.2 lbs since yesterday. Then.. I had to just shake my head and laugh at myself for being so incredibly ridiculous. Over 9 lbs in six days and I'm unhappy? Craziness! You're right... people really ARE funny/strange (and yes, wonderful) creatures.

Shauna

Thanks so much (blush).

I will try not to breath on you : )

Grats on your loss!

[IrrettelatWet]

Thanks so much (blush).

I will try not to breath on you : )

Grats on your loss!

You're very welcome & thank YOU (:

[blenIgnigeSef]

Omg... I'm totally going to have a beer tonight! Maybe I'll bring my dropper and pretend its HCG! Someone stop me.... stop me I say!

[costamarianavia]

Omg... I'm totally going to have a beer tonight! Maybe I'll bring my dropper and pretend its HCG! Someone stop me.... stop me I say!

I have the same issue -we are going out for a b-day party and I know if I don't have a drink in my hand people will really wonder HA HA So it is also a meal - hmmmmm thinking of having a steak with a glass of wine???? Which would be better wine or lite beer?