[scoussysows]

Before I continue, please may I state that I *know* I am completely OFF of the traditional HCG diet part of the protocol. In fact, I am no way near it. I welcome input into what I am doing, but please do not tell me that I am doing this "wrong"... that is the whole point, I KNOW I am doing it "wrong"! But in doing so, maybe it will help some of you?

Anyway, I had every intention to do this the traditional way. THEN, after I had finished loading, I read about the dalton size issue (see my post regarding this!) and realized that sublingual Zycog was probably not going to work (I wanted it in my *bloodstream*!). So, on the very morning I was to start VLCD, I instead ordered supplies to do injections (took almost 10 days to arrive) and in that time I began reading Dr. Kruse's website, about the Leptin Reset. This led to me some paleo/primal websites and I spent the last weeks reading and learning.

In short, what was going to be a traditional round of HCG injections (as soon as I received my injectibles kit) turned into something so VERY different! I did the injections as instructed (125 is my dosage, and I inject in my belly), but my diet is totally different, as I am doing the leptin reset diet, mixed in with a little extra paleo/primal - and I even modify *that*.

Here is what I am doing, very vigilantly:
*eating within 30 minutes of rising (critical for leptin reset)
*eating a HUGE breakfast (3 eggs, 4-6 bacon strip, and hunk of steak typical)
*I am eating only 3 meals a day, with no snacks (not a morsel between the 3 meals).
*my last meal is 5-6 hours before bed (nothing except water thereafter)
*my lunch and dinner are large - usually a lot of protein (steak, etc.) with extra fat (drizzled butter/coc. oil) and veggies.
*I am mixing all my foods, and eating ANYTHING that fits into the protein and veggie category - any!
*I am having coffee with heavy cream at breakfast and lunch (mostly decaf, but 2 cups at a sitting)
*my calories over a day are usually well over 2,000! No joke.
*I am using all my lotions, makeup, etc. from before - not worrying about any of that
*I am eating coconut oil by the tablespoon (getting at least 8 tabespoons a day, if I don't, I melt it in my coffee)
*no exercise, except for a wee bit of walking with my dog, but I only did that once a week or so...
*taking my HCG sometime between breakfast and dinner (that is a huge time span!)

I am so happy! NO cravings, and my body feels so energetic, and my mind so very sharp. It is nuts how good I feel. I wish I had eaten like this years ago (I am 44). My belly fat is dissappearing the most quickly - it is really noticeable. My hubby hugs me and says "where are you dissappearing to?". The fat is coming off differently than other diets - it is really mostly around the belly and my behind. This has been my trouble spot - I am just learning that I had the typical "wheat belly".

Anyway, I *know* the paleo diet (modified, because I do eat dairy) is partly a reason for this success! If you look at my stats in my signature, you will see that I lost 8 pounds in 1 month just on paleo (plus the two pounds I gained on the "loading" days for the HCG VLCD that I never did!) with high fat/high protein/high kcal. And now, in the subsequent 2.5 weeks (when I added HCG injections), I have lost an additional 7 pounds.

I am absolutely convinced that paleo/primal (or my own version of it) is the way for me. I wonder if the HCG is helping this process even more... it might be! I will stay on the HCG until I go on vacation, then go on it again when I return. I would love to hear what you all think the HCG is doing for me, because it *does* seem to have accelerated my weight loss on the paleo diet just a wee bit more. I am not feeling that feeling of "well-being" that HCG is supposed to give me (I know what it feels like, I have done 4 rounds of IVF!!!), so I do not know if that is what is helping. Maybe the HCG is just doing what it is supposed to be doing!

The one thing I just cannot believe is that I got into the 170's. I just cannot believe it - eating this MUCH (much more than I used to, when I gained this weight!). It is as though the paleo thing has just totally eliminated any "set point" my body may have had.

Anyway, the take-away of this for me (with all the reading) is that carbs are my body's enemy. Not good old-fashioned carbs, but the newer carbs that make up 95 percent of our carb intake these days. They make me sluggish, depressed, hungry, with cravings and with no feelings of self-control. Without them I feel alert, energetic, sexy (yes, a bit!), and IN CONTROL. In the past 20 years I have *never* felt in control of my food. Never. I always felt lazy and lethargic and like I had no willpower. I would give in to temptations all.the.time! And without carbs all of that has totally left me - it is like a miracle. It was never my fault, after all!!!! It was those stupid carbs.

And please note that the HCG diet is quite low-carb! Maybe that is one of the major points of the diet, and it's success.

Anyway, would love to hear what you all think. Oh, and in real life I am not a "renegade" at all. I am a stay-at-home mommy of 2 little girls, just a regular gal

Warm regards,
Barbie

Ps: edited to add that my progress is not a quick as the traditional HCG diet you all are doing (I am okay with that, tradeoff is great for me). Without the HCG (but still on paleo) I lost on average .27 pound per day. Then, resetting the clock (so to speak), since I added on the the HCG I have lost on average .45 lbs per day. But I am SO happy with the progress - either way! Especially since I started at under 200 pounds and it is harder to lose each pound

[Illisezek]

I've often said that if I ever did another round of hcg I would modify it to have breakfast as my first actual meal. Now I wouldn't do an actual BAB the way you are doing because I know I wouldn't lose well on that. I don't lose on paleo or on Dr. Kruse's leptin plan so I'm sure I would likely gain if I actually had a BAB. My only reservation for you is stabilization. But time will tell!

And I moved this thread to the leptin reset because that's what you're doing. You're not doing the protocol at all.

[Beragagnu]

Colleen, oh you made me sad The protocol folks are constantly asking questions about breaking the rules... and what would happen. How are they going to find my post here, to see some (anecdotal, yet real) results? I actually considered putting this in the Leptin forum, but the Leptin folks already know all this stuff. I *am* DOING the HCG protocol, but breaking all the diet rules (that is allowed!). I am still on HCG, please note, and seeing better results while on it, than while off. I am not sure you read my entire post carefully

One question: how will stabilization affect me? The way I see it, I won't have any stabilization! This is the diet of my dreams, I will never stop - do you see any reason too? I am getting plenty of good (grass-fed!) proteins and fats and tons of veggies.

Sigh, buried I am in the LR forum (which I love, but this post was not intended for them, nor was my "guinea pig" research). I thought I was going to be a big help to the protocol folks. I don't think so anymore...

Can I gently appeal my move to the LR forum?

[MaugleeRobins]

Barbie:

I am really interested in your method and will be watching for results. I plan on not following the protocol exactly this time. I got so weak and lost all energy last time, so I've made up my mind to have more calories and let the process take longer. My friend lost a lot of hair doing the protocol exactly and I want to avoid that also.

Thanks for posting this.

[OccabsLam]

in summary, you're doing p3/paleo while taking the hcg, correct?

[LindaSmithIV]

Southern, that is generally what I am doing - both paleo *and* HCG Throwing in a GREAT deal of Leptin Reset (Dr. Jack Kruse), too - especially with regard to timing of meals, and the BAB (big ass breakfast), LOL.

Hope this helps!

[DEMassteers]

Most won't have any success doing this, Barbie. In fact, most women don't lose well on the reset at all until they've been on it months.

And not following the protocol isn't new. We have seen this kind of thing over and over. LOL In fact, the first person to tell me about hcg was following a regular diet on hcg and lost about 10 pounds in a month. No one else was ever able to replicate her success. You're not even going rogue by adding a few foods. You're not following the protocol AT ALL. Some men take hcg to help with testicle issues but they aren't doing the protocol either. See what I mean? So your experiment has more to do with seeing if hcg will help with the leptin reset. It rightly belongs here.

And quite honestly, those questions people ask about what would happen if I added this and did that? They will GAIN, that's what will happen. You haven't seen what I've seen in 3 years.

[hLabXZlK]

True I have not seen what you have seen. But I will bet that I have done almost as much reading as you (I am aware of your friendship with Dr. Kruse and somewhat aware of the extent of research you have done)!

I stated very clearly that my evidence is ANECDOTAL. There is no need to "teach" me that - I stated it

I feel as though you have me in your sights, and you are targeting me. I do not understand why, truly.

I am all about us educating ourselves and doing what is right for OUR bodies. I think you are too. I think we actually have similar outlooks on all of this. But something is keeping you from opening yourself up to me. Perhaps I stepped on your toes? I had to be *this* forum (I am on no others regarding HCG or paleo), but as I re-read my posts I cannot find anything I have done to deserve the "tone of voice" I am being given by you. I would welcome a PM regarding this, if you can shed some light for me.

Regardless, ALL of us are sharing our anecdotal information - that is a very large part of this forum. And what works for you, may not work for me, and vice versa (we agree on that!). But sharing MY information is maybe just as important as yours!!! It must *may* help someone. Even if it goes against what you think. And, I might be totally wrong about all of this... I will agree to that, too

And you are right, I may not be sharing *new* information. I never thought that was important (if it was, there would be NO need for a forum), or that there was anything explosively interesting about my journey. But you know, it just.might.be interesting to *someone* out there.

If you have a personal problem with me, please address me separately. Until we have straightened that out, please would you respect me as much as anyone else who posts here? I have something to say, I am intelligent, and I am doing my VERY best, just like all of us.

Regards, Barbie

[drgshmcm]

Please could another moderator contact me? I am now having other posts deleted by Colleen. I have *never* done anything wrong! I am so upset that I am being targeted for not agreeing with her!

I feel sick to my stomach and I want to cry. I cannot believe this is happening...

Else, could someone please explain how to find another moderator?

Thanks,
Barbie

edited to add: I just read a PM from Colleen. I am being CENSURED for not agreeing with what she thinks is the PROPER way to do the HCG protocol. I cannot believe it! I am perplexed and so upset, and my stomach is so sick. My journey is as important as anyone else's! I know I am going "rogue" (or not, as Colleen explained in her PM), but isn't that all OKAY? I am not writing an instructional booklet, I am experience MY anecdotal experiences.

UGH, going to snuggle with my girls now. I am so sad

[tefraxKedWere]

You're not being censured, Barbie. You are doing leptin with the addition of hcg. You're not doing the protocol but leptin. We're trying to make sure the things stay separate. It's fine to share your experience. Sorry if you were confused about that. Share away! But it's a leptin protocol not hcg.