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Preparing for the Diet
Opening the Bacteriostatic
Water and hCG ampoule
Loading
500 Calorie Diet Tips
Tricks during the VLCD
Tips on Managing Stalls/Gains
Tips to Manage Cheating
Tips to Treat Sickness
Tips with Sleep
Tips with Dry Skin/Make-Up
Tips with Traveling
Post-Injection Tips
Preparing
for the Diet
1. Many people have found that
cleanses help prepare the body for what is to come ahead. A Candida cleanse
helps with sugar cravings and a colon cleanse can begin the process of
clearing out the toxins and prevent constipation during the protocol. These
are not necessary, but can be helpful.
2. Many people have heard about this protocol from Kevin Trudeau; his book
recommends many expensive suggestions during “Phase 1.” For a complete list
of these items and a doctor’s recommendation on it, please visit Weight Solution.
3. It will really benefit you to give up Splenda, Aspartame and MSG (in their
many forms and hidden names on the label). They all make you more hungry and
are fuel addictions, not to mention other terrible effects--- see a shocking
video here: Excitotixins:
The Taste that Kills (MSG is in ALL processed foods). You can also
read more research about aspartame on the "where to go now page."
4. Take the time to
memorize the protocol. Then, make sure your schedule is ready to take
on your new diet (i.e. no vacations planned, etc.). You will have
plenty of time to read while you are waiting for the hCG (if ordering from
overseas), so take the time and get comfortable with the protocol.
5. You can spend time
planning your meals, shopping for the protocol, shopping for new clothes
(you'll drop many sizes quickly), and you can even begin growing your own
fruits and vegetables. This will ensure "organic" certified
produce.
6. As spoken in the
words of a very wise member of hCG Dieters, "You need to allow yourself
time to prepare for this long before you actually start the protocol - this
is a protocol of not just food, but mental preparation, the planning of how
you are going to handle the day-to-day situations that will derail your
resolve and your plans, the roadblocks we come across, how you are going to handle
them, the foods you are going to make that you know you can actually eat
without wanting to gag as you stuff them down your throat... the questions
people are going to ask you, how you are going to plan your meals
etc." --jen302255
Opening the Bacteriostatic Vial and hCG
Ampoule
1. You can always buy an ampoule cutter here
for $9.00, which helps if the ampoule is not pre-scored.
2. The metal rim has to be popped off the bacteriostatic water to expose the
rubber top.
3. The hCG ampoule has a little black dot on one side, which has to be facing
you. Always put an empty alcohol wipe package over the top of the ampoule to
protect your fingers and for sterilization purposes. Then holding the
bottom of the ampoule firmly between the fingers of your left hand
(right-handed people only) and the top firmly between the fingers of your
right hand, quickly and firmly snap the top away from you. It usually breaks
pretty cleanly this way.
4. Store your unopened
ampoules of hCG in a dark bag in a cooler place (like a pantry or even the
refrigerator).
Loading: Day 1 and 2 of the protocol
1. Do NOT try to limit your food during these days; the fattening food is necessary
for the diet to work correctly, and more importantly to re-establish the
structural fat that's been reduced or lost by years of fad-dieting. The more
you eat, the better results you are going to have. Those who do not
load to the fullest also experience difficult hunger pains throughout the
injections. You SHOULD gain weight on the loading days, you will lose it all
within the first week, probably even the first 2 days!
2. It may seem impossible to load yourself with really fatty, unhealthy items
(especially if you’re on your second or third round of the protocol), so here
is a list of healthy items you can load on that are high in fat.
∙
Healthy Cold Pressed Oils
∙
Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive
Oil, Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil on everything!
∙
Avocados : 26.5 grams for
just one of these beauties…slather some Veganaise in
the pit dent and eat with a spoon!!!
∙
Nuts: Especially Walnuts,
Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, in that order, can really boost your fat
gram load
∙
Nut Butters & Tahini
∙
Seeds: Sesame, Sunflower,
Pumpkin are all great!
∙
Coconut: The oil, the
milk, the meat … fabulous! May also contribute to healing thyroid gland.
∙
Olives: Green or black,
and stuff them with Tahini!
3. Eat foods that you crave that are especially high in fat such as Dairy
Queen, cakes, cookies, custards, creams, pastries, chocolate, etc. as it has
a psychological effect of saying good bye (for now!)
4. Focus on high caloric creamy foods.
5. Drink whatever you want on your load days; including soda, beer, wine,
sake, etc.
6. Be sure to take pictures and measurements at this beginning stage so you
can see the difference in your body and watch those inches melt
away! For help with measuring correctly, visit here. The
best thing to remember is to always measure in the same location. Also,
if you do not have a measuring tape available, use twine or cording to take
the measurements, and mark with a black permanent marker...watch the lines
get smaller and smaller.
7. If you are concerned about cheating, go through your pantry and cupboards
and remove anything that might tempt you. Donate the food, do not THROW
it away.
8. Dr. Simeons specifically lists milk chocolate, pastries with whipped
cream, sugar, fried meats (particularly pork), eggs and bacon, mayonnaise,
bread with thick butter and jam, etc. We recommend you eat at least SOME of
these foods.
9. The BEST suggestion is to read, and re-read, Dr. Simeons manuscript. Take
the time to print it out, read it, and highlight important sections.
Then you could prepare your own "cheat sheet" and grocery list to
prepare for the protocol ahead.
500/VLCD
Calorie Diet Tips
1. Keep a food diary with everything you eat and the times it was consumed.
Also include your morning weight and how much was lost from the day before.
Track your liquids (variety and amount). Try to keep a running count of
calories so you ensure you remain within the 500.
2. Since you will be eating so much of the same things, it is great to buy
and cook your meat portions in advance; it will definitely save you time in
the long run and help you stick to your diet.
3. It is great to keep a few “snacks” readily available for when a craving
hits: for crunch you can use celery sticks and cucumbers; for sweets
you can slice up an apple and mix Stevia with cinnamon and dip the apple
slices (for a really quick fix, have pre-sliced apples with lemon juice in
the refrigerator stored in individual Ziploc bags) or create a strawberry
smoothie (ice, water, strawberries, stevia (optional), lemon juice
(optional). For many excellent recipes, visit Where to Go Now.
4. For a fast meal, you can precook some chicken (weigh your portions first)
and store them in the refrigerator. Wash and dry full heads of lettuce(s) and
store in the refrigerator. These preparations ahead of time allow you to
prepare a quick dinner of chicken salad. You can make a dressing out of
lemon, apple cider vinegar and fresh pepper. This is great when you
want an enormous portion as it is difficult to eat too much lettuce (at 10
calories a head).
5. There may be some occasions when you feel hungry, to fix this you can
space your meals throughout the day so you are constantly eating. For
example, you can have coffee/tea in the morning when you wake-up(8:00), eat
an apple at mid-morning(10:00), have a grissini in the early early afternoon
(12:00), eat your lunch mid-afternoon(2:00), eat your second grissini late
afternoon (4:00), eat dinner in the evening (6:00), and your second fruit in
the late evening (8:00). Drink LOTS of water throughout the day, it helps
curb hunger.
6. If you get hungry, drink 2 big glasses of water and see if that helps.
7. Coffee tends to curb people’s appetite and teas are designed to do this,
too .
8. If you cannot live without soda, make your own using sparkling water and
Stevia which has great flavors like Grape, Raspberry, and even Root Beer! Do
NOT drink Diet sodas as they contain aspartame.
9. Don't be afraid of hunger because hunger is a feeling (physical sensation)
not a fact. Remember that the hCG is providing more than enough fat and
nutrients to meet your needs.
10. Be precise in your counting of calories and weighing of food. One tenth
of an ounce can make a big difference—do NOT go over or under.
11. Typical weights of vegetables to be used in a serving at either lunch or
dinner are around: 7 ounces of cabbage, 4-5 ounces of spinach, 12-15
ounces of tomatoes, 6 ounces of asparagus, 8-10 ounces of cucumbers.
Typical weight of strawberries (to equate a handful) is between 4-5 ounces or
50-75 grams.
12. You can be prepared and make teas for the week. Some teas to use are
Yerba Mate Chai or Chocolate, Oolong, Chamomile and Green tea (these are all
organic). Put a gallon of spring water in a large pot and use 3-5 teabags and
a few drops of Stevia; let it sit for awhile to cool off then move it to the
refrigerator. Label the liquids if you make more than one tea at a
time.
13. To create ground beef (do not buy from the store): ask the butcher to
trim all the fat, ask him to show it to you after he/she trims (to be sure it
is suitable for you), and then ask to have it ground. You can also do this at
home by trimming the fat off of the meat, cutting it into cubes, and placing
it in a food processor or blender.
14. If you have
difficulty finding a small apple, you can just cut a large one in half and
only eat half. You can also use this method for oranges. This
will also help you save calories (especially good for beef days).
Tricks
during the VLCD
1. If your brain is used to so much glucose that you cannot concentrate well,
try L-glutamine, the amino acid, which acts just like sugar in the brain.
2. Personal care products that have not caused a gain in some people:
Proactiv wash (not the lotion or the toner); organic spray "NA-PCA"
Non-oily Natural moisturizer by "Twin Labs"; Pantene
shampoo/conditioner (though it is likely that any regular shampoo/conditional
can be used); Crest toothpaste (though any regular one should work); Secret
deodorant has caused no issues and Irish Spring soap. It is likely that you
can lose weight with all of your regular products to clean, but the
moisturizers/lotions/make-up/etc. can cause problems.
3. If you are having trouble going to the bathroom, you can try Smooth Move
Tea (available at GNC); follow the directions on the package, but only drink
half of it. Drinking only half prevents loose bowels and
cramping. WARNING: Do NOT overuse laxative-type teas; read more here.
4. If you are experiencing muscle twitches, you can try taking some extra
magnesium.
5. As strange as this may sound, exercise causes your weight loss to slow
down, even the difference of walking 30 minutes or not can cause changes in
your weight loss. From our experience, we believe you will lose the most
weight if you are sedentary. We believe exercise builds muscle mass which
weighs more than fat, so you still burn fat, but you stay at the same
weight. Additionally, it has been said that muscles hold water around
it while it "heals" from any type of exercise, whether it be
walking or working out/cardio. Dr. Simeons explains this in Pounds and
Inches: "[The muscles have a] retention of water which the tired
circulation cannot at once elminiate." He also advises to not
exert yourself while on the VLCD, anything more than a game of tennis, a
vigorous swim, a run, a ride on horseback or a round of golf is too
much.
6. If something strange suddenly appears while using hCG (like rashes, acne,
etc.), remember that fat cells store hormones, pesticides, and other toxins.
When the body can't release the toxins through urine or sweat, it will lock
the toxin into the fat cells to prevent the toxin from taking over your
body. When you lose weight the abnormal fat cells are released which
means that the toxins are simultaneously released and released into the bloodstream.
If you had an experience with something in the past that gave you a problem,
like a rash, it is probable that the weight loss will cause the problem to
come back as the toxin (problem) is released. This is a good thing
because it means the body is ridding itself of the store toxins. Also
remember that many skin disorders have their root in the colon, therefore
cleansing it can alleviate or eliminate the skin disorders.
7. Potassium can be used to keep your strength up during the VCLD and the
dose should range between 200-1000
8. If you are not actually constipated, but are considered about not moving
the bowels, you can try the salt water flush. It has the same effects of a
colonic, but it costs nothing (or as much as sea salt). Here is a
website that tells you what to do. Sea salt is always the best type of salt
to use.
9. The Debate over menses: to inject or not to inject, that is the
question. Do you know who has the answer? YOU- decide for yourself, but
remember Simeons says not to inject. With that being said, MANY people
inject straight through with no problem. The reason provided for not
administering injections is due to a higher chance of pregnancy. When injecting
during your period, you have a chance of dropping more eggs under the
influence of hCG, therefore being more fertile. If the possibility of
pregnancy is not an issue, then you can continue the shots during your
period. Learn more about estrogen and your menstrual period here.
However, you must note that you should start your treatment is immediately
after a period (per Dr. Simeons). He goes on to say that:
"Treatment
may also be started later, but it is advisable to have at least ten days in
hand before the onset of the next period. Similarly, the end of a course
should never be made to coincide with onset of menstruation. If things should
happen to work out that way, it is better to give the last injection three
days before the expected date of the menses so that a normal diet can he
resumed at onset. Alternatively, at least three injections should be given
after the period, followed by the usual three days of dieting. This rule need
not be observed in such patients who have reached their normal weight before
the end of treatment and are already on a higher caloric diet."
10. If you believe that your hCG has lost its potency, you can test it by
buying a cheap pregnancy test, and use a few drops of the hCG mixture (not
your urine). If your hCG is potent, the test should show a positive
result since all pregnancy tests look for hCG. Another alternative is buying
ketone sticks (available in any pharmacy, possibly behind the counter) and
test your urine to look for the presence of ketones. Burning fat usually
emits ketones which are removed by the kidneys and released in urine.
If you are releasing the abnormal fat deposits (as hCG enables), you should
get a positive reading for ketones on the test if the hCG is still potent.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar “Cocktail” can help digestion and hunger and burn
fat. Drink one before each meal. Use 1 TBSP in 3-4oz of water with a few
drops of Stevia.
12. To treat bad breath, you can munch on fresh parsley. As an added bonus,
it has a mild diuretic effect. To count calories, 10 sprigs have 4 calories.
13. If you are a gum chewer, buy some cinnamon sticks, break them in half
& chew them. They will eventually dry out & you can reuse them
anytime. To always have one on hand, keep one in your car, at work, and
your purse. You could also use anise seeds (like the East Indians) which are
like licorice for "candy" or as a breath freshener.
14. Water is extremely
important for the protocol to work; if you are not a water drinker you can
try zero calorie, zero carb fruit flavoring packets which come in about 8
different flavors. For subtle flavor, use only half a packet.
Recommended flavors include peach, mixed berry, and strawberry kiwi.
15. Many people have had
difficulty getting out that last shot of the glass vial. You can pull
the needle out of the bottle so that only the opening of the needle is
touching the solution. That should help you take in most of the mixture.
16. To maximize weight
loss, you need to remember your entire well-being. Don't forget stress
reduction, sleep, and toxin reduction.
17. Keep in mind that
everyone loses weight in different periods of time. Some people set
their expectations too high and feel like a failure (which is completely NOT
true). There are many slow losers, just remember to not give up.
Let your body lose at the speed it needs to, and keep your eyes on the
goal. You will eventually reach your goal.
18. For those who don't want to share their diet secrets (the hCG
protocol) with family and friends (due to questions and criticisms), you can
tell them you are on a cleanse and eating clean, whole foods with no sugars,
dairy, gluten, or preservatives. This should keep them off your
case.
Tips on Managing Stalls/Gains
1. Watch what you’re eating; you should have a food journal and you might
find patterns of foods that cause you not to lose, or to lose fantastically.
A lot of people have had problems losing with tomatoes and oranges (but some
people have no problem at all). Every body is different and you need to
monitor your own body and see what works (and doesn’t work) for you.
2. Make sure you are drinking enough water (at least 2 liters a day).
3. Those that have held true to the diet and not cheated, have been rewarded
with a large weight reduction when it finally drops. You will usually
resume your previous average loss before the stall.
4. Each time you stall, take your measurements; you have probably lost inches
(remember it is called Pounds and INCHES).
5. You could gain some weight and not have cheated, depending on your menses,
ovulation, and hormones. Almost all of us have seen the scale go up due
to water retention, etc.
6. If you eat more salt in the food you prepare, and your body isn't used to
that sodium level, your blood volume will increase to handle the extra salt,
which will translate into a gain because you're retaining water to boost that
blood volume. In other words, watch your salt intake.
7. Remember what Simeons said about losing. You lose fat from the body cells
but the cells do not disappear at the same time. The cell structure is still
present for two to three days while the body breaks down the cellulose
and fills the cell with water in order to release it (through urine).
Once the fat cell is removed, the scale will drop.
8. Sensitivity/allergies to foods (like lemons) may cause weight stalls.
Listen to your body. The guru is you!
9. Pay attention to weight gains, they usually signify a mishap in the
protocol, like not drinking enough water, eating too many/too few calories,
too much salt, or (inadvertently) eating foods not allowed on the
protocol.
10. Be careful, spices have calories. As long as the serving size listed has
less than 5 calories, the company can list 0 calories (even though it may
actually have 4). Usually spices and seasonings use 1/4 of a teaspoon as
their serving size, so BE CAREFUL...4 calories in 1/4 teaspoon = 16 calories
in 1 teaspoon. Account for every calorie, no matter how miniscule it
may seem. Here is an exact calorie count per TABLESPOON of various
spices:
1TB Onion Powder = 22.54
calories
1TB Garlic Powder = 27.91 calories
1TB Chili Powder = 23.55 calories
1TB
Paprica
= 19.94 calories
1TB Poltry Season = 11.36 calories
1TB Oregano
= 13.77 calories
11. Weight gains/stalls may take a few days to kick in. For example, you
could mix your veggies for a few days and assume there is no problem based on
what the scale reads, but then a stall or gain can suddenly reflect the
breaking of the rules. Many people believe a stall comes out of nowhere,
but it is usually instigated by something (if not a previous weight set
point).
12 It is important to know
that what works for one person does NOT mean it will work for everyone; to
prevent stalls/gains simply do not make changes to Dr. Simeons protocol just
because someone else is losing with that modification.
13. In women, menstrual periods increase water retention, and water weight
shows on the scale. If you know you are following the plan and are not
cheating, you just need to accept that the stall/gain is temporary and
continue to follow the protocol. The drop will happen once the
menstrual cycle is normalized in the body.
14. If you are following
Dr. Simeons to a "T" and have no other explanations for a
stall/gain, look at your life and the levels of stress. Stress causes
cortisol which hinders weight loss and/or causes you to gain weight.
Try to remain calm and stress-free.
Tips
to Manage Cheating
1. Do NOT cheat, you will regret it...here are a few words of wisdoms from
other users who have cheated in the past.
Well,
guys, it all started with a Mango Mai Tai served in a martini
glass. This was Saturday. I ate a quesadilla, an extra serving of
steak, an extra apple, and so on. This is my second cheating round!
Shoot! I was doing so well, too! I was down twenty pounds... Anyway,
it ended with White Castles. Woe is me... LOL.
I stopped taking the shot on my three day break, which was only 9 days
in to the VLCD. I figured that cheating would be worse while taking
the shots and increasing my caloric flood. Do you guys agree?
Anyway, I did notice that when cheating, the foods made me feel GROSS!
Especially the White Castle burger and fries. YUCK! I also noticed
that when cheating, I had a tendency towards the same diet food I've
been eating, only bigger portions! Hmmmmmm...
Anyway, I'm back on the horse, and have started the shots again, and
strict adherence, and feel much better, but Gosh, how quickly they
fall...
Renny
* * * * * * * * *
Hello Friends,
Yes I succumbed to the cheating monster. Tuesday I ate a huge
lunch and then Wednesday I ate a huge dinner. Thursday I was up 4 lbs.
This morning I was up another 3 pounds. Now if you don't think 7 pounds
is a big deal let's look at it another way. 7 lbs. = over one week of
weight loss GONE. Think about it. All the effort you have gone
thru to buy and prepare special meals for yourself. All the hard work
of not eating foods that are off limits. All the effort of drinking a
whoooooole gallon of water everyday so that you slosh when you
walk.
Another way of looking at it is that I (for me anyway} was in
control of what I put in my mouth and I darn well am going to eat what I
want when I want it. But after I cheated the second day I knew that the
food was in charge and did I want that? Heck no!! I want to lose
weight and be healthy and skinny!! To do that I need to follow Dr. S’
plan. NOT CHEATING
Cheating was a waste of time, of weight loss and of course money.
I hope my saga helps someone because that is what these posts we
make are all about.
Charlotte
2. Do not be afraid of cheating--you have complete control whether you give
into temptation or not. Just because someone else has cheated does not
mean you will cheat as well. Many, many people have done the protocol
without cheating, and you can too. Prepare yourself for the fact that
you will *want* to cheat, but *acting* on the thought is your solely
decision.
3. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
4. Do NOT cheat, this cannot be stated enough, it is a waste of time and
money and NOT WORTH IT! Also know that if you cheat, you will gain more
than you would not on hCG.
5. To get your mind off of wanting to cheat, focus your attention on
something else. You can take a walk, go to the library, movie theater,
or visit with friends. It is also nice to find a support system,
whether it be through an online group (visit here), a buddy who is following
the diet with you, family member(s), etc. Just make sure you have
someone to stop you from cheating.
6. Create a cabinet in your kitchen which supports your diet. Store your
teas, Stevia, Apple Cider Vinegar, Grissini/Melba, fruit, etc. and use this
special place to “snack” with items that are all allowed on the protocol.
7. Do NOT create your own substitutions. Dr. Simeons created a specific list
of foods to eat and studied each food intensely. If you start making substitutions,
then Dr Simeons' protocol becomes weaker and weaker, and eventually will
become completely ineffective. It is the substitutions to the protocol
that give the program a bad reputation; it needs to be precisely
followed.
8. Do not interfere with your own weight loss success by not following the
protocol! Dr Simeons' program eliminates and/or reduces sugar and
carbohydrate cravings. However, if sugar and carbohydrates remain in your
diet (except for the allowed starch), you are not allowing your body to
cleanse and your hypothalamus to reset. These are the key to lifelong
success.
9. You don't need to understand why something will or will not work with the
Simeons plan. There are many unexplainable factors to the program, you just
need to know that substitutions to the protocol causes weight loss to
slow. Just because something doesn't make sense to you doesn't mean you
should change it. Do not expect to have the results produced on the
Simeons protocol if you do not follow the Simeons protocol.
10. Expect to have cravings, be hungry, and moody and expect to want to
cheat. These expectations will let you be prepared to control the
cravings, hunger, moods, and cheats. Prepare yourself for these
feelings, but know that the decision to deviate is yours...stay strong and
remember that only you are accountable for everything you put into your
mouth.
11. When you feel a
craving coming on, go and brush your teeth; this should help the craving
pass.
12. Don't disappoint Dr.
Simeons, he would not let someone remain on the hCG protocol if he/she
cheated more than three times. You need to commit to the program and
stay with it!
13. The only way to fix
a cheat is to get back on track and tell yourself that you will not
cheat. The more you tell yourself that you cannot cheat, the stronger
you should feel. If you allow yourself a bite of something, you have
already cheated, and you should never make that allowance.
14. When you use food as
an emotional crutch, you will find it difficult to cope without that crutch
while on the VLCD. You need to fill the empty spot with something
healthy that you can enjoy, both on and off the protocol. This will not
only reduce cravings, but also help you maintain your new healthy
weight. Some possibilities include crafting, painting, walking,
gardening.
15. If you go forward
and cheat, you have to take responsibility for that cheat. You should
feel guilty and unsatisfied, and you will pay for the cheat for three to five
days. This can be 3-5 days of the scale going up, or staying the
same. You have to pay for your mistakes, and it sure is time
consuming. There is nothing you can do except stop cheating and vow to
yourself that you will not cheat again.
Tips
to Treat Sickness
1. Dr. Simeons uses a combination of antihistamine and large quantities of
vitamin C. You should feel better in about 3 days.
2. You can try to alleviate a sickness with the combination of essential
oils: one drop each of cinnamon, thyme & clove essential oils on top of a
small amount (a couple of inches) of boiling water in a small saucepan. Cover
your head with a towel and try to breathe in and hold in sinuses and lungs
several times during a period of 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to get too close
to the water because the extracts are tremendously strong, you need to get accustomed
to the scents.
3. Dr. Simeons says an "aspirin" for a headache is okay. Some
people have successfully used Excedrin, Advil, Tylenol without any effect on
weight loss. Just make sure to avoid the ones that have the shiny coating
that makes them look like M&Ms!! That coating has sugar in it.
4. Do NOT suffer...if you NEED a medication, take it and just make up any
'lost time' when you are feeling better.
5. As a home remedy, you can drink LOTS of water and hot teas to flush the
sickness out of your system.
6. For stomach troubles ensure
you are not de-hydrated or over-hydrated. Check that your fluids, both
the amount (at least 2 liters for the day) and the type (coffee, tea, water,
etc.). Excess fluids can weaken your digestive enzymes which, in turn,
makes it more difficult for your stomach to process the food. Drinking
too much coffee and/or tea (and not enough water) can also cause stomach
problems due to the acids and tannins embedded in these types of
beverages.
7. For heartburn with bloating you can take a Tablespoon full of apple cider
vinegar which will ease the acidic feeling.
8. "Head fog" and "muscle weakness" can be helped by
taking potassium (99 mg tablet 2/day with food) until the feelings pass. Keep
potassium tablets in your house in case the problems return.
9. When you don't feel like
eating, make sure you at LEAST eat small portions of proteins and the two
fruits.
10. For a head cold, put Tabasco on everything you eat or try eating spicy
foods. The hot foods will clear your nose. You could also try Sinus Buster which is made with red
pepper so it can sting a little at first.
11. Take digestive enzymes (available at GNC) when you feel your stomach
cramping from not processing the food you are eating.
12. For back pain, you can start by doing some gentle stretching. You can
also try warm compresses on your back, massages, acupuncture, or visit a
chiropractor. If you need to use medications for pain, use the approved
aspirin. As a final resort, you could try yoga. There is a woman
by the name of Peggy Cappy who teaches Yoga For The Rest of Us.
She has a yoga CD for back problems. Read more about it here. You could also
review Dr.
Sarno's book, he is the doctor who cured celebrities John Stossel and
Howard Stern's back pain.
13. When you have a cough, cover the bottoms of your feet with Vicks
vapor-rub. You should put socks on to prevent the vapor-rub from wiping
away or sticking to surfaces (including your bed sheets). This works
best at night before bed.
14. If you have a cold or suffer from allergies or chronic sinus issues, this
trick will change your life. Dr. Oz on Oprah explained this remedy on one of
her shows. Simply use a "sea salt saline sinus flush." You can use
a tall drinking glass and put a level teaspoon of sea salt in the glass, then
fill the glass with just warm water (bear in mind the temperature needs to be
comfortable for you). Stir well to dissolve all of the salt. Then, use
a larger (i.e. 60cc) syringe. Fill the syringe with the sea salt solution,
stick it comfortably in one nostril, lean over the sink with your head
slightly tilted forward and slightly to the side. Then push the syringe to
release all of the sea salt solution up into the nostril and out the other
side (pretty unbelievable, I know). You can breathe through your mouth
as you do this. Fill the syringe again and repeat on the other side.
After treating both sides, gently blow your nose. For additional information
and explanations, visit this website.
You can even order a special "pitcher" from the website to use
instead of a syringe.
15. You can gargle with warm salt water to treat a sore throat. You can also
use warm salt water as a rinse (for about 5 minutes) to whiten your
teeth.
16. In addition, the warm sea salt water can be used for treatment of an ear
ache. Put some of the mixture in your eat and let it sit for about 5
minutes. The sea salt kills bacteria which not only cures an infection, it
also prevents future infections.
17. For a rash, you can
try this simple home remedy: Dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a
1:4 ratio. Use a wash cloth and apply the solution directly on the
rash.
18. To treat allergies,
you can try Dr. Frank's
Allergy Relief oral spray.
19. For stressful
situations, you can calm yourself down with Bach Rescue Remedy Spray.
NOTE: Keep your eye on your
blood pressure as salt can increase blood pressure; sea salt, however, is
safe. Be sure to use sea salt, but do watch your blood pressure.
NOTE: Use caution with
all medications, it is known that one can overdose on Tylenol and there are
many chemicals in Tylenol products.
Tips
with Sleep
1. Be careful about drinking tea too late in the day in order to ensure a
good nights sleep. For those that are supersensitive to caffeine, beware that
even the decaffeinated tea have a little caffeine in it. Caffeine-free tea
does not have caffeine. You need not worry about drinking coffee or
caffeinated tea in the morning hours, as the caffeine will clear your system
by night time.
2. You can try one "Simply Sleep" by Tylenol. This has worked with
other people with no effect on weight loss.
3. You can try a natural supplement, possibly melatonin or valerian. They
both work great and are safe to use (available at health stores, and places
like Trader Joe's). Valerian can cause swollen ankles, so one should
use caution.
4. Try Hyssop - a natural herb that 'promotes restful sleep.' Buy it in
liquid form, and just take one dropper full.
5. Visit this website
for more homeopathic remedies.
6. Alpha Calm and Alpha
Calm PM are both recommended by Kevin Trudeau. Call 1(800)511-7004 to
find out more.
7. You can use Bach Rescue Remedy Spray to help you
fall asleep.
NOTE: Use caution with
all medications, it is known that one can overdose on Tylenol and there are
many chemicals in Tylenol products.
Tips
with Dry Skin/Make-up
1. Try dry brushing. Learn the technique here.
2. Many people have continued using their regular products (shampoo,
conditioner, deodorant, soap) for everyday use with the exception of lotion.
Many lotions have oils in them, so be sure to check the ingredients.
3. You can try a manufacturer by the name of Alba (available at some organic
food stores). Alba has an oil-free moisturizer with aloe and green tea and an
eye gel with green tea. No oils. Find out more about Alba here.
4. Mineral oil is a possible remedy for dry skin. However, mineral oil
is considered controversial because it is a petroleum-based product, and is
actually a byproduct of refining oil. Due to this fact, the molecules
are too large to be absorbed by the skin. This point is what creates
the controversy: the oil becomes a layer over the skin and can clog
pores. If you are not bothered by this fact, you can use mineral oil
for the protocol because it will not be absorbed by the body and add oil to
it. Since the mineral oil becomes an additional layer on the skin, it
keeps the skin mosturized. Dr. Simeons recommends using a tiny bit of
mineral oil (i.e. baby oil) on damp skin, then towel dry to remove the
excess. One alternative to Dr. Simeons method is to mix sea salt with baby
oil to make it into a thick body scrub. Scrubs remove dead skin,
leaving skin smooth and soft like a baby. Use it on the driest areas
for relief (elbows, knees, heels, etc.). Like any scrub, make sure you
rinse well, removing all residue. You can follow the scrub with soap if
you'd like.
5. Another means of exfoliating dry skin away is by soaking in a very hot
bath for as long as possible. Then, take a loofah and scrub your skin.
Like the scrub, this method removes all the dry dead cells and your skin
should be noticeably softer.
6. You can buy a pair of
exfoliating gloves to remove dry skin (available at Bath and Body
Works). For added moisture use your regular soap to create a nice
lather and rinse well.
7. If you do not want to use
mineral oil, try petroleum jelly. Vaseline
Lip Therapy works for dry lips and petroleum jelly seems to relieve dry
cracked elbows and knees. Don't use the creamy kind (it has added ingredients
which are not allowed on the protocol), only the jelly.
8. A great way to create soft skin is to use baking soda and mix it with a
protocol friendly face wash at least 1-2 times per week. Find a face wash
that does not contain glycerin. One product that has gotten great reviews is
Purpose liquid face wash. You can buy Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash at your
local grocery, drugstore, or retail store (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.).
Click here
to read the reviews.
9. You can prevent dry skin by using a shower filter. These
remove all of the chemicals (like chlorine) from the water, providing you
with a clean water source.
10. An Aubrey's product,
"Aloe Vera," contains vitamin E and grapefruit seed extract and
nothing more. You can put it into a spray bottle and spray your lips, face,
neck and elbows periodically or upon waking and before bedtime.
11. For those who cannot live without make-up, we have compiled a list of
cosmetics that have been used by others on the protocol without adverse
weight loss. To begin with, Dr. Simeons said no cosmetics other than
lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may be used without special permission.
We are assuming special permission means the good doctor looked over the
ingredients. Here are some brands we believe would be approved by Dr.
Simeons: Alchemist
Apprentice, mineral cosmetics (eyeshadows) from Aromaleigh, Serious Skin Care (a HSN
brand), Bare Escentuals, Bare Minerals, and Smoky Mountain
Minerals.
12. All Arbonne products
have no chemicals or animal by-products, making them safe to use on the
protocol. Many have used the Shampoo and RE9 products daily (with the
exception of the moisturizer, which *might* cause a stall), as well as the
sea salt scrub (twice a month, just in case). To find out more, visit here.
13. Many people find
that acne becomes a problem while on the protocol. Think of the acne as
a great sign that fat is being released and your body is getting rid of the
toxins trapped within. To clear the skin, use the typical products of
acne wash and deep cleaning pore strips. .
Tips
with Traveling
1. The TSA should allow you to board with the hCG as long as it is
accompanied by a letter from a doctor or prescription. If you are traveling
overseas, customs probably won't confiscate the hCG because in many countries
it is sold over the counter. On the return trip, you have a letter
and/or prescription to show customs (making it legal). Make sure you
check with the airline you are flying on and check the policy, as every
airline may be different.
2. You can put the hCG
into your checked luggage to prevent problems (use this method if you don't
have a prescription). To keep the hCG at a proper temperature, you can
use a small Tupperware container, fill it half way with water, and place the
container into the freezer until the water is frozen. The next morning,
or the day of your departure, place your hCG bottle into the Tupperware container,
seal it, wrap it in plastic wrap (to seal the ice), and put it in a Ziploc
(to prevent spills or condensation on your clothing), then place it into your
luggage.
2. Only take the amount of hCG you will need while you are away (i.e. do not
return with preloaded shots).
3. According to Dr. Simeons the hCG mixture can be left at room temperature
for as long as 3 days, but must be refrigerated for longer periods of time.
4. To ensure travel success, call and ask what the regulations are for
airlines. Each airline might be different.
5. You may want to take your pre-filled syringes in a small cooler with ice
or a mini-refrigeration unit that you can also use in a hotel/motel room.
6. You can take some pre-cooked chicken, prepared veggies and bagged salads,
apples or other fruits and maybe some pre-mixed vinegar dressings to keep in
a cooler so you have the protocol food available to you. By doing this,
you won't have to take a break from the hCG and can continue to lose
weight.
7. For a short weekend, you can do your Friday shot before you leave, and
plan a skip day for either Saturday or Sunday. This means you only have
to carry one preloaded injection with you.
8. If you have to eat in a restaurant, prepare your meat and fruit portions
ahead of time and take them with you to eat at the restaurant. If this is not
possible, you can order a mixed green salad without dressing and add a
grilled meat (some restaurants even have salads with oranges or
strawberries). Make sure you ask that the meat be cooked free from oil,
butter, marinade, etc. You could also order fresh fruit (without sauces
or sugar), as many restaurants use fruit in preparation and have many
varieties on hand.
9. To keep everything
organized and accessible, pack a small suitcase for your hCG needs: a
bathroom scale, food scale, small grill (like George Foreman), cooler for
food (if there is not time to go grocery shopping), cooler for hCG, cosmetic
bag for needles, etc. If you decide to go this route, be sure a refrigerator
is available at the hotel you are staying at and use caution when cooking in
a hotel room.
10. In our own travels,
and per our doctor's recommendation, we carried the hCG amber bottle and
dropper (for sublingual) in our purses along with a prescription. The
security did not ask for the prescription, but I was prepared. The
bottle needs to be clearly marked. The reason our doctor recommended
that we put it in our purses is because luggage can get lost and delayed; to
ensure safe transport, keep the hCG with you in your carry-on.
Post
Injections
(See also Maintenance Phase page for extra tips)
1. You cannot expect the hCG protocol to take off the weight and then allow
you to return to bad eating habits. The hCG will remove the weight and
give you a second chance, but it is not a free pass for life. You will
need to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. It's your
responsibility to maintain your new (healthy) weight, and you need to
understand that.
2. Even after the maintanence phase, you need to watch the scale to remain
within the two pounds of the last injection weight. If it changes, DO A
STEAK DAY! The steak day is a tool to utilize for the rest of your life, not
just for the maintenance phase.
3. Steak Day Tips: Go to the butcher. Buy
yourself the biggest, fattest, best marbled cut of meat they have to offer
(you don't have to watch the fat now) and if you're not sure which cut is
best, ask the meat guy. Take it home and sauté it in oil, butter, garlic, or
whatever other seasoning you want. Relish every bite of the steak until you
are full. Follow with an apple. You can substitute a tomato for
the apple if you prefer. Some have lost as much as 7 pounds of gained
inflammation in just one day using this technique.
4. Use the time spent on
the hCG as a method to retrain your taste buds. In the maintenance
phase learn to appreciate the natural flavors of food and try to refrain from
adding artificial ingredients and flavors back into your diet. These
artificial ingredients are the most likely the cause of obesity in the first
place. The return of these culprits could cause the return of obesity.
5. To maintain weight
loss you can learn new techniques to overcome emotional eating or eating due
to stress. You can try the Callahan technique or EFT (see links page). Remember this is the
beginning of the rest of your life. Control the maladies and focus on
positive change.
6. To reduce cellulite
on the new slim you, you can try adding 1 drop of lemon essential oil to one
tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba oil. Rub the mixture into the
affected area, working toward the heart. Repeat daily and drink lots of water
to help flush your system. You can also try "Stevia lemonade"
and epsom salt baths.
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