DON’T TRUST SOME OF THOSE CLINICS, BUT NATUROPATHS CAN BE VERY GOOD Someone wrote this: “I did my first round with a naturopath and it cost $150 for the 40 days injection kit. Not a bad price at all. I totally love and believe in naturopaths. They know more about the human body than most family doctors. My naturopath saved my life basically about 15 years ago. The naturopath who prescribed the hcg for me didn't know much about it though. He suggested I just eat what I wanted and take the hcg. Fortunately I had already researched the hcg for myself and knew the proper protocol. I wouldn't have lost if I hadn't found this forum. So if someone is going to go to a doctor for help, I would highly recommend a naturopath.” http://www.whyhcg.com/diet - might be helpful also EXTENDING DAYS OF HHCG If homeopathic, there should be no issues with going the extra days. On the homeopathic forums there are a few people who have done longer rounds. That’s where I first heard of doing a longer round. I guess that with the hhcg there is not the risk of becoming immune to the drops. Most would not recommend doing this if you plan on doing multiple rounds anytime soon. Some have gone on for up to 77 days on P2 – due to slower losses, or upcoming travel plans, etc. They say that if you feel fine, you can do so. LACK OF ENERGY Drink lots of water - one of the reasons you may feel so fatigued is because your body is beginning to purge itself of all of the built up toxins from processed foods and hidden, molecularly altered chemicals and sugars. I felt a little off my first couple of days as well as my body was adjusting. The most important part is that you don't feel like you're starving - that tells me that your dosage is alright. You may want to consider replacing melba and fruit with more protein, or break up the protein to eat in small bits every few hours. Also, it's not recommended to use protein shakes during P2 because most of them have some sort of soy, lactose, or sugar parts in them (maltodextrin - BIG culprit!). Having said that, I'm finally getting my pure organic hemp protein powder, which tastes like earthy/grassy, however, has zero additives, chemicals, sugars, dairy bits, or soy, and since whey shakes caused stomach problems for me, this is my new way of getting protein, but it's a personal choice. Also, make sure you're getting enough rest, and if you've had bloodwork done recently, check to make sure your B12 levels aren't too low. When I was severely anemic 2 years ago, I needed B12 injections just to make it through the week, so a nutrient defficiency could play a role as well. Some of the members here purchase sublingual B12 drops, you might look into that. Be careful with multivitamin supplements - some of them contain ingredients that might mess with the protocol, and be especially careful that they don't contain oil or sugar in the coating. Are you drinking too much water? We find that people who drink too much are flushing the electrolytes out. I wouldn't drink more than about 80 oz a day. Try taking some potassium too.

WHAT ONE ONLINE FRIEND SAID: Food desires do not plague me anymore. I can eat when I'm hungry; stop when I'm full; and easily say no to foods. I have felt like a slave to food cravings my entire life, and I don't anymore. It's been so freeing. It's like I just conquered my cravings - finally. Now, it's not an issue for me anymore. I did this with homeopathic sublingual drops - very cheaply actually - and without a doctor's care. I have several friends who have been off the diet for over a year and not gained back any weight. One of them lost over 100 pounds. None of them count calories, etc. to keep weight off. The only reason I did this diet was because of the success rate for not regaining weight back. If I do gain one day, I cut out sugar and starch the next day, and the weight falls right back off. THAT never happened for me before. I think doing hcg was the start of a great lifestyle change for me. I love the fact that I do not crave sugar or sweets any more. I am thrilled that my waist went from 41.5" to 33-34" so I can fit in size 10 pants. EXTRA TIPS The first week is the hardest. Plan out your proteins and fruits for the day and then eat the leftover calories in veggies. You will be surprised and the quantity of veggies you can have. I like to have one of my fruits mid-morning, then protein and veggie for lunch. Sometimes I have the allowed starch, but not always. At dinner, protein, veggie, and the allowed fruit from the fruit list. If you are tired, try some sublingual b-12. Some like to spread out their food – just as long as there’s the 6 hours between fruits, etc. rules. You must finish eating before 8 PM. Make sure that any supplements you take do not have sugars, starches, oils, etc. This diet is not new and has been around for 50 years or so. I think that many doctors and so on don't approve of it because they're not thoroughly informed and haven't read enough about it. But then again, I seldom trust doctors when it comes to nutrition - more for stuff like flu, shots, and when all else fails for serious stuff - hypertension, etc. So far, hcg is the best thing I’ve done for weight loss in a very long time. I would do it again if and when necessary. :)

SUPPLEMENTS WHILE ON HCG I usually take lots of supplements, but since starting hcg, I take far fewer. You can take anything pretty much as long as it does not contain oils, fats, sugars, and/or starches. During these hcg days, I do not take: Omega-3's/Carlson's Fish Oil My usual multi or D3 - since they have vitamin E and other oils in them. Besides D3 is fat-soluble and cannot be properly absorbed without fat. Since hcg has zero fat, there really is no point in taking a fat-soluble vitamin during this time. Anything with Vitamins A, D, or E – fat-soluble vitamins I do take: probiotics, biotin, magnesium (VERY important if you're prone to headaches, etc - and most women are deficient in magnesium - if you don't take it, I'll tell you the right type) and some others ... I must say that during this time, I take far fewer supplements than usual and I feel better regardless. You should be fine also, since it's only for 26 days or 43 ... and sometimes it's really good for the body to have a break from supplements. Our bodies get overly dependent on supplements at times and they stop being as effective. I've read and heard this time and time again. POSSIBLE HAIR LOSS In order to prevent hair loss, I take Biotin, Silica, and Biosil - some days, I take all 3; some days, just 1 or 2 of them. I vary my supplements a lot. I also plan on starting a protein powder (very few ingredients and a good quality one) either in P3 or P4. I've heard this helps with hair loss. I've also heard that hair loss is less common with those on hhcg. I had huge issues with possible hair loss. It almost made me not want to go on hcg. But the more I read and thought about it, the more I realized: * that not all experience it. Several of my online friends who've been on it (and their friends and family members) did not experience it * my understanding is that any hair loss is temporary and generally returns to normal once protein levels are restored in P3 and P4 * it's not the hcg that causes hair loss, but the fact that the diet brings you to the brink of calorie and protein deficiency - but again, not all experience it. I have not experienced any hair loss.

VERY BASIC IDEA OF HCG PHASES The Phases are: • P2 (phase 2)taking hcg and losing weight – this is either for 26 or 43 days • P3 stabilize your weight – 3 weeks • P4 adding in sugars and starches while maintaining – for life or as long as you wish Each time you do all 3 phases its called a Round. You eat different things and different quantities on each of the phases. For those who need to lose more weight, they often go on more than 1 round. You need to have at least 6 weeks between the first 2 rounds of hcg. 8 weeks between rounds 2 and 3 12 weeks between rounds 3 & 4 20 weeks between rounds 4 & 5 and at least 6 months between 5 and 6.. each with a 21 day P3 at the beginning of that period. The length of time between rounds is to allow for many things including giving your liver a rest from processing the excess fats that have been stored in the body and giving your skin/body time to adjust. One key (and it's the same for both methods – hhcg and Rx hcg) is to do at least 30 days of dosing before moving to P3. The minimum 23 days just doesn't cut it these days for most. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS The hcg diet is not for everyone - nothing ever is - but so far I have had no side-effects and have found it to be safe and effective. In some ways, I have more energy, since my body is digesting much less food. The friends that I have known have experienced little or no side-effects – other than the occasional headache on the first few days. That’s a sign of the body getting rid of toxins. I have read that some experience hair loss AFTER hcg, but again, none of my online friends. Most who do experience hair loss get back to normal after a few months – with increased protein and certain supplements. I take those supplements all the time anyway. Some experience headaches, itchy skin or a rash – these are probably toxins being released from the fat that’s being released. They will last as long as you don't provide other pathways for them to exit your body. One way to do this is to take a cleansing bath in the evening. Add 2 cups of Epson salts or one of baking soda and one of the Epson salts to a tub with water as hot as you can stand it and get in for 20 minutes. Make sure it comes up to your belly button or higher. For headaches, I like to take magnesium. :)

LOADING – THIS IS KEY!!! My loading days were not all that fun ... I originally thought they would be. Then the more I read, the more I realized that loading is somewhat different to what I'd originally thought. I had some fun, but most of it was beginning to sicken me slightly, especially on the last night. I had had so much fish oil and so many nuts, I honestly thought I was going to be sick. But it was a good thing that I did that. This is what I read: You have to load/gorge the first two days of hCG administration. Otherwise, you risk serious hunger problems during the first week. Eat LOTS of FAT, rather than lots of sugar, though. Don’t worry; the load weight will come off very quickly, usually within 48 hours. While you can eat sugar, it doesn't do anything for the diet, and may just add pounds that will take longer to get off. Also, make sure to eat the foods that you think you’ll miss. The problem comes when you eat a lot of "junk" and sugar that this fills you up - then you are too full to eat enough fat. That will result in you feeling crappy for at least a few days, and as long as a week. Eating the fats has a purpose- eating junk and sugar will do nothing but pack on additional pounds. And the more you gain with loading, the more you have to lose. Load is not as much about quantity as it is about quality. It's the fats that help to get you through the first few days of the vlcd as the hcg works it's way into your body. Some have made the mistake of not eating a lot of fats on these 2 days, but instead they’ve eaten a lot of sugar and starch. Big mistake! Eat FAT on your loading days to avoid the experience that they have the first time, which seems like a brush with starvation at first. HCG AND EXERCISE With hcg, I have found that even doing exercise that is relatively easy and mild, has caused me to stall. Since I stopped exercising altogether, and only doing stretching and some gentle stability ball stuff (ab work, etc.), my losses have been much better and quicker. Early on in this round, I lost the normal amount of weight while doing walks of up to 2 Miles (usually Leslie Sansone DVDs) or rebounding (bouncing on the trampoline) most days. But when I started using weights and a few very easy Denise Austin DVDs, my weight stalled for those exact same 10 days that I did them. Even though the workouts were relatively easy and short. I'm pretty sure that it was from the exercise, because that was all that had changed. I would never swim during hcg. Swimming, as much as I love it, increases appetite for lots of people, including me. With hcg, you’re not meant to exercise intensely. It will cause water gain and possibly an increase in appetite. Light weights, 2-4 mile walks, yoga, etc. are fine for many people - but the intense stuff (elliptical, treadmill, long exercise sessions, running, heavier weights) – these are all most definitely out. I have a friend and know some on the hcg forums who normally do the intense stuff like P90X. That just can't happen on hcg. They can start to do that on P3, building up gradually, of course. The rule is to just listen to your body- if you have the energy to do it, it's okay. Sometimes you just need to experiment a bit and see what works.

FACTORS FOR SUCCESS ON HCG 1. Pick a right time in your life to do this - this diet is very mental and you have to be mentally ready - don't do this say, before a vacation, holiday, or major stressful event, etc. I waited till after a whole bunch of dinner parties, etc. I don't like to tell very many people IRL about my diet/weight struggles/etc. It gets boring and annoying. Again, this diet is extremely mental and the timing has to be good for you Otherwise, if you’re tempted with something – birthday cake or major event – you’ll be giving yourself a pity party or heading towards failure. Like any other plan, your head HAS to be there. 2. Read, read, read ... and be organized ... plan your meals ahead. I weighed and froze my proteins into Ziplocs during my two loading days. The key for success with hcg is research, reading, and being organized. 3. There are 2 loading days - load, load, load! On lots of healthy fats especially, not so much sweets and junk. But lots and lots of fat - fish oil, coconut oil, nuts, etc. Those who don't load well are starving within the first few days. This is absolutely essential. Those who don’t load and who don’t load on healthy fats are usually starving and usually fail. (more info below) 4. This is a diet where one absolutely must not cheat. One must very carefully follow the directions. You can't just eat whatever you want and whenever you want on the plan. There is a very strict food list and in order to succeed on this, very little or should I say, no, variation is allowed. Only a few fruits are allowed. That’s it. The rules take some getting used to. But then it’s super-easy. Also, following the steps for maintenance is a critical component as well (gradually adding foods back into your eating once done with the drops). That’s in Phase 3 (P3) and later in P4. I can’t believe that I have not cheated one iota. I guess the structure of this plan and the lack of hunger have helped me a lot. Plus, the fact that I loaded really well. 5. If you do get hungry, you can, snack on some sliced cucumbers. Some keep a bowl in their fridge. :)

BARELY ANY HUNGER I barely experienced any hunger. The hunger that I experienced for only two days so far was very mild. I have gone on many diets in my life - not at all in my 30s and 40s.. This is the only diet where so far, I have felt no hunger. The other day, I went with ds to get burgers and ribs for everyone's lunch. I normally LOVE that place. I didn't even drool in temptation. The aromas didn't trigger anything for me. AVERAGE WEIGHT LOSS Most women lose on average about half a pound per day. Average. Most tend to go on it for 26 days and some go on it for 43 (which I think I’ll be doing). Depends on how much you wish to lose. Then there’s a maintenance phase (P3) and another phase for life (P4). READ, READ, READ There are some helpful books on amazon. I got one of them and learned quite a bit. You don’t have to get a book, however. If you visit any hcg forum frequently and if you read up on it as much as you can – you really need to read the original protocol – then you don’t necessarily need to buy a book. I learned much more from those forums than from the book.

Rx GRADE HCG The other way is either through a doctor, medical professional, or ordering the “real stuff” and mixing your own to make injections or drops. There may be more side-effects that way and mixing and injecting oneself is not for everyone. Some talk about menstrual problems, migraines, hair loss (but what I've read with these side effects are that they are, for the most part, temporary). Many don't experience any side effects whatsoever. Honestly, I don’t know much about this approach, since early on in my research, I decided to try homeopathic first. http://www.yourhcgdiet.com'>http://www.yourhcgdiet.com'>http://www.yourhcgdiet.com'>http://www.yourhcgdiet.com You can get a kit from at http://www.gphcg.com or email him at doyle@cornerstonemin.org. alldaychemist.com This seems to be the very cheapest way to do it, you can put together your own kit and order the hcg from http://www.AllDayChemist.com then get your other supplies online or at the drug store. From alldaychemist, the shipping is $25 no matter how much you order. There are no other charges. They package it in a pretty small box http://www.yourhcgdiet.com You have to mix it yourself. There are also others that are imported, that you mix yourself , and many are very happy with that. Again, I really don't know much at all about Rx-grade hcg. Those forums should help for those who want to try that route.

USING DROPS Leave the drops under your tongue for at least 5 minutes. Wait about 15-30 minutes after doing the drops before you eat or drink. If you're talking homeopathic hcg, it's VERY important not to eat or drink for 15-30 minutes before and after doing the drops. All homeopathic remedies have one thing in common: no strong tasting OR smelling things within 30 minutes to 1 hour of taking them. No coffee, toothpaste, cinnamon, mint, garlic, anything with a very strong flavor or odor. These things taken too soon after the drops can totally derail the way it works. If it's Rx, then it's not as big of a deal. But hhcg works on an energy principle and taste is part of it. Homeopathics work better with frequency taken, not necessarily how many you take at once. Some take the drops 6 drops 6x per day and find that that works better. Also another suggestion that works well is to not eat anything (even a fruit) after about 8pm. Keep the drops away from electronics, and make sure it isn't left in the heat. With the drops, I've been told to be very careful not to touch the dropper on my mouth or accidentally hit it against a tooth when I'm using them, because this can contaminate the drops. I've heard this from probably three different practitioners. An opened bottle is good for about 4 months if kept in a cool dark place. With pellets, opened or unopened, they're good for 2 years when kept in a cool dark place.

HHCG Drops - again, I MUCH prefer pellets over drops. http://www.yourhcgdrops.com/ - thjs is where I got my drops from and I was happy with them. More expensive than many places, however. http://www.rebekahspureliving.com/Oral-HCG-Diet.html The following is from the moderator on the hcg boards. She KNOWS her stuff. Go with a brand that has a proven track record for MANY people, even if you feel good on it. Here's why: 1) Some people would not be hungry after a few days, on or off the hcg. People who fast for religious reasons generally don't complain of hunger after a few days; so while this is generally the best indicator of whether or not your hcg/hhcg is working therapeutically, it can still be misleading. 2) Your weight loss has very little to do with the hcg or hhcg- it's primarily from the vlcd (very low calorie diet). so don't think your drops are "working" just because you're losing weight. Also don't think they're not working, because you're in a stall. 3) Try to avoid the "these drops worked for my friend so they must be good"-type of thinking. Some people are going to lose weight no matter what they take. More and more people in their teens and 20's are overweight- but since their bodies are still young and strong, and not too messed up by years and years of incorrect eating, some can lose weight with just about any method. 4) Losing weight is the easy part- we've all done that, on lost of methods. It's keeping it off that is the challenge. And since you won't know if your drops are going to help you stabilize well until after you've stopped taking them, go with something proven- not just what you find that is the least expensive. 5) If you start to look gaunt, something is wrong. Even with people who have trouble stabilizing, hunger issues, etc., I've almost never seen someone on Rx hcg who has that gaunt look- who looks skinny in the next, etc. This seems to be one of the most consistent side effects of hcg, is that you don't lose (or lose less) structural/good fat. 6) Remember also, that in the end Dr. S. said this: As a general rule one can say that 60%-70% of our cases experience little or no difficulty in holding their weight permanently. That means that 30-40% of people DO have difficulty maintaining. Unfortunately, he apparently did not look into why this is the case. We have lots of good info here that has been developed over time to help make P3 and P4 more successful, but there still may be a group of people who can't keep the weight off no matter what method they use. My thoughts: 30-40% is good. Very good. Most other diet plans have a 95% failure rate over the long-term.

HHCG Pellets Meridian Health Labs – although possibly a bit slow with their shipping, may have better prices http://meridianhealthlabs.com/index.php?cPath=1 http://www.ultimatehcg.com/ http://naturalhealthlabs.com/index.php?cPath=1 http://platinumbodyperformance.com/default.aspx HHCG PELLETS Easy to measure out Dissolve under tongue, just like drops – usually takes 5-7 minutes to dissolve – some say that it takes even longer Tastes like regular homeopathic pellet – a little sweet About 20 pellets per day: Most take 4 pellets 3 x a day, yet others use different dosages. Most find that they need to experiment until they get the right dose for them. 4 pellets 3 x a day 5 pellets 4x a day 5 pellets 3x a day 6 pellets 3x a day 6 pellets in the morning, then 5 in the afternoon, and 4 in the evening 3 pellets 3x a day 5-5-5 4-4-4-3 Taking too much hhcg can actually trigger hunger. Someone posted that when she went up to 8 pellets 3x a day, her hunger was intense until she stepped back down to 6 pellets 3x a day. DO’S AND DON’T’S OF HOMEOPATHY 1. Touching Homeopathic Medicines: Do not touch the homeopathic medicines; do not take on to your palm before taking it, as handling of medicines reduces the potency of the medicines. It also spoils the medicines by exposing it to unhygienic conditions. Always take the medicines by using the cap of the medicine bottle or a plain paper. If you are going to use a paper then see to it that it does not contain any print. As ink can also spoil the medicine. Don't touch them with your hands. Make sure you drop them into the lid from the bottle directly and put them under your tongue. Let them dissolve. 2. The half an hour rule: Do not eat or drink anything half an hour before and after taking the medicines. The only exception to this rule is water. Drinking water is permissible after or before five minutes of taking the medicines. 3. Onion, garlic, ginger, coffee, toothpaste … and other strong smelling substances: Once you are following the half an hour rule then you can eat raw onion, garlic, ginger, and other strong smelling substances along with the homeopathic medicines.

Okay, for those who are interested, here's my hcg standard post. I am so not a fad diet person, or even a diet person. I hardly ever diet and hate the whole concept. But I got to a point where I simply had had it with gaining and not losing. Eating less and just exercising more no longer works for me now that I'm in my 40s. That worked in my teens and up to mid-30s. The older I get, the harder it's been to lose. Now with hcg, since I have no hunger so far, and since it’s working so well, I'm loving it. I was extremely skeptical when I first heard about the hcg diet on some other boards. My first thought was: Are they out of their minds? 500 Calories a day?! Mind you, I should mention that the foods chosen for the 500 calories are nutrient dense - and the body releases abnormally stored fat - so it does not feel like that few calories per day. Anyway, once I read their experiences (as well as so many who have kept it off for quite some time from people whom I’ve known for a long time online – in other words, online friends!) and read more and more about it, then I started going back and forth with the whole idea for a while - talking with dh (since there's very little chance of my having success with this or pretty much anything without his support), etc. TYPES OF HCG – Rx GRADE OR HHCG (Homeopathic Hcg) I learned in my research, that neither method is necessarily better than the other. They can both work. Some don't have much success with homeopathic and then have to do the Rx drops or injections. Both Rx grade hcg and hhcg work. People use both types successfully. Regardless, I have some links or names for both types. Since my experience and research is with hhcg, most of these tips are about that option. I would not rush into ordering until I first read as much as I could. I read for about two months before starting this plan. Not everyone needs so much time. But reading up on it and visiting forums really, really helps. HOMEOPATHIC HCG (HHCG) I decided to go the homeopathic route. Homeopathic, I guess is safer. The drops (and now they have pellets, which I'll get if and when I do this again) are easy to do. Some homeopathic ones that are said to be good – although everyone’s experience may vary. Most of the online friends I have from other boards have gone the homeopathic route. I also frequent the HCG board which is very helpful. I’m mostly on the Homeopathic Page, but also visit other pages. This forum has helped me so much. There are some hcg boards, but I have hardly visited them due to lack of time. Plus, I’m happy with this one. There are 2 types of HHCG – pellets and drops For homeopathic pellets - http://yourdiscounthcg.com/

The pellets are just very small pills that dissolve in your mouth. Much easier to use than the drops. Whenever I have a choice between drops or pellets for anything homeopathic, give me pellets any day. :) I very, very seldom even felt hungry while on hcg. So no, I didn't feel as if I was starving myself. Trust me, if anyone searches hcg here, they will see that on all the previous threads, I was extremely skeptical. "Crazy" is relative. I, and many others, might consider hours and hours of working out and slogging it away at a gym, crazy. Trust me, BTDT, very, very little weight loss ... my body changed in my mid-30s. The hours and miles of running and working out and cutting calories as much as possible just doesn't do squat anymore. Those days are over. I don't consider hcg to be crazy. And even if it is, it works. It has worked better for me than all the previous methods. I do agree about not going on hcg while nursing. I wouldn't either. I'll try to answer as many of your questions as I can. Feel free to ask away. Also, I highly recommend for anyone who's considering hcg, to either join those forums or to at least visit them frequently. It was only once I started doing that, that I learned so much. Most vitamins are fine - just not the fat-soluble ones - no D3, E, A, etc. If your multi has those, skip those for now. No fish oil. I do take niacin and am fine with that. Magnesium, potassium, and B12 are very helpful. Magnesium is something that most of us are deficient in, regardless. Most of us need a good form of magnesium, whether we're on hcg or not. Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision. No, not when done right. I don't know much about Rx-grade hcg, since again, that hasn't been my experience. But I do know many who are on it and have lost weight and kept it off for a very long time. Again, visit those forums. Also, do a search right here on these boards. Many have been on it. I've been using homeopathic hcg and it's perfectly safe and it works. Love it. Right now, I've run out and am waiting for it to arrive. I'll be back on it in late March.

:iagree: Same for us in the Caribbean. Dh feels even more strongly than I do on this. He practically refuses to even visit somewhere cold. Our dc have seen snow once.

No, but I would either search on those boards or ask. I wouldn't think that there would be any problem with homeopathic. The only difficulty I could think of, and this is a big one, is having 500 calories a day while nursing. I would find that very, very tough ... Although hcg really helps with hunger issues. I didn't feel hungry while taking the drops. Very seldom. Some do. Not I. I have taken drops and am waiting on my pellets. I'm not an injecting kind of person ... can't do it. I will post some more specifics on this later. Right now, I have to head out the door. A few people have asked me for tips and info. I'd rather share them here, than keep sending private messages. That way, everyone can possibly benefit, if they choose to either go on hcg or consider it.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

:iagree: I like the nice-paying part, especially :D. Yep. Dh often reminds me that cloning wouldn't be such a good idea - since, if you recall the movie "Multiplicity" - each one kept getting, how shall we say it, a little bit "slower" than the others ;)? My ds is begging me for all the HP stuff, including a time turner. :D Whenever I wake up, I wish so much that I could freeze time for about 24 hours - 24 hours all. to. myself. and never need sleep. I could get soooo much done. Yes, exactly, dh reminds me of the Michael Keaton movie ... :lol: Teleportation - I've often thought of. Beam me up to Paris, Vienna, Brussels ... anywhere, anytime. Take my family and loved ones ... :) I love all these answers and I'm really enjoying this thread.

Clone myself - one to get stuff done (that never seems to get done), one to sleep, one to workout, one to prepare healthy meals, one to chauffeur the kids and be with them, one to plan lessons, one to hang out here ... you get the picture. Not a day goes by that I don't dream about this superpower.

There are others here who have taken and are taking hcg, including myself. I'm very happy with it and will be happy to answer any questions you have. You don't have to get it from her. There are 2 ways of doing it - Rx (which is probably what she has) and homeopathic (hhcg) which is what I and most others I know do. It works. Like any weight loss plan, if you stick with it, it will work. These forums are incredibly helpful. Yes, it may sound extreme, and in many ways it is, but that's what I needed at this point in my life. All the slower plans - intense exercise, NoS, etc. - were just not working for me. I did LOTS and LOTS of research for months and months before starting this. I wouldn't recommend this, probably, for anyone who has less than say 15 pounds or so to lose. It's more for 15 pounds and up, I think. I could be wrong. I visit those forums daily and learn so much.

Peela, I hope I didn't upset you or anything. My apologies if I did. I absolutely LOVE your posts. You have an incredible amount of knowledge, and, as I've told you before, if you ever write a book, I'll be the first to buy several copies. :D So very true. Perhaps the part that I quoted wasn't from you after all.

Thanks so much for this and your other helpful replies. Off to search later today. This may be just what I'm looking for. My dh will follow something as long as it's not overly extreme. He hates extreme. His dad (my fil) is very extreme with raw foods, and only raw foods. Dh is understandably averse to all that. He likes moderation and balance and gets turned off if something is too "out there" or not scientific enough. He's compliant, but up to a point. He's willing to give most things a try, but will naturally stop if they are ineffective. He likes to eat grilled chicken and rarely eats red meat. I can't imagine him not eating chicken. Unless he absolutely has to. Will post more later. Thanks again. Will also look at your other links.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

:iagree: on both counts. I don't color my hair at all. But if I ever do, it will be in a salon or not at all. Don't even get me started on MDs :glare:. I could go on and on. Some are great. But few in my experience. Dh did NOT listen to his surgeon yesterday and is trying a natural approach. We're very happy and relieved about that.

We were "this" close to camping with some friends a few years ago. I am NOT the camping type, so that was already making me nervous. Fortunately, dh told them that the only place his wife would camp is at a hotel and ordering room service :lol:. My parents used to camp all over Europe (driving from Iran) with my 3 older siblings. Once I was born, all that stopped. They seemed to inherently know that I was not up for it :D. So, for me, camping alone ... not going to happen. Camping with friends ... absolutely not ;). Very interesting about the fact that Fuhrman and McD don't believe in it. Wow. The candida diet was the worst mistake for dh. Pure rubbish and hogwash. He stopped pretty much all fiber because of their stupid suggestions - no whole grain bread, no fruit. Dh is not the type to eat LOTS and LOTS of veggies and legumes. So, his health really and truly suffered. It might work for some, but it did not work for dh. ETA: It might work very well for those who load up on legumes and lots and lots of veggies. I believe moderation in all things. I'm coming to believe that when anyone says extreme things like "avoid all fruit" or whatever, to be very, very skeptical. Gluten-free, btw, never made any difference for dh or myself either. A friend of ours, a naturopath, told me once that if my dh continues to eat whole wheat bread, I may as well start making funeral arrangements :glare:. How rude and stupid! Well, we tried gluten-free for a number of weeks. Nothing. No difference. He actually does better with bread. I'm learning more and more that one needs to listen to one's own body. Not always easy to do, however.