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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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Tips And Tricks