Anyone been on Phase 4?

[Lopaka]

My phase 4 starts in 3 days, and I'm a little scared about how it may affect my weight.  Staying away from fast foods and soda won't be too much of a problem, but the starches and sugar, even when eating moderately, has me a little worried.  Has anyone gone through this phase, and how did it affect you?

I know I have a lot less gas without the carbs.   In fact, I hardly toot these days.  (Hey, it's a guy thing, alright!)

Happily, I've stayed within 2 pounds of my last vlcd weight, which was 155.9 Ibs. and sometimes even go below that by half a pound.  I still feel like I should lose 5-8 Ibs. of fat, which isn't enough for another round of hcg.

[Terri]

Hello,  I am new to this site but have just come off of the hcg injections about 5 days again and am really struggling.  I have lost 28 pounds over the last 45 days ... not a huge amount because I had some "falling off the wagon days" but still successful in my eyes.  However, after going off the injections I feel thicker and my weight is unstable.  Because I don't have anyone to dialog with and my doctor is new to this protocol also I am the guinea pig and there seem to be no answers.  I sabotaged myself last night and went on a binge which means that today will be a steak day which I dislike going all day without eating but don't want to gain the weight back either.  Do you continue the steak days until your weight is stable again?  The book says eat a large steak and apple but what constitutes large ... 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz; I am a fact person so not knowing what the rules are leaves me very much out of control.  Also, how long does one have to wait until doing a second round of hcg?  Do you go through your doctor or have you ordered it through the website linked to this forum?  Please help me if you can ... I really need someone to network with for accountability and for support.  Thank ... Terri

[Rae]

Dear Terri,
So sorry to hear that you have no one to talk to about this-that can be rough-that's why these forums are great b/c a lot of ppl won't understand what we're doing...
I definitely understand your questions, b/c i had all of them myself and i'll try to help you as much as i can.
I suppose the main lesson i've learned from hCG, by my rounds and through dialoging with others, is that everyone is different. hCG reacts differently in every persons' body.
Some don't develop immunity at all, others develop it after only a few weeks, some don't lose as fast as others do, it varies for every person. That being said:
I had the same feelings of heaviness and being thicker after my round ended, but i soon found out that that was b/c i was eating too much fat and (accidental) fat. (peanuts and peanut butter apparently have a LOT of starch in them! Something to always pay attention to, whether under hCG's influence or not, is water retention. It's more important than you may think. If you wear rings and they're tighter than usual is a good way to know if you're retaining water. (This may mean a few things: that you're not gettin enough protein in your diet, or not drinking enough water, or possibly ingesting too much salt (this one i know for sure b/c salt is my big downfall).
The "steak day" is used within the first week after treatment if your weight has increased by more than a pound and is NOT continued for more than one day. I have never done it for more than one day in a row, but i'm sure it would be detrimental and/or counter-productive. As far as the apple, use your own judgement, if the apple is significantly larger than the small and medium apples next to it in the grocery store than you should be alright. I try to find the biggest apples I can find. If you want a measurement, I would say 10 oz.
In between the first and second rounds a six week period should suffice. This helps combat immunity and gets your weight stable.
Also, check out Miracle Noodles, they are cheap, a natural source of fiber, inherit any flavor you put on them and 0 calories, expand in your stomach to prolong the feeling of fullness, so you can feel like you're bingeing, w/o the calories!!
Mild to moderate exercise really helped me during my maintenance period, even if was just a light 30-min. walk everyday.
I have ordered thru this website and others (email me if you want more info).
I think that you've lost 28 lbs. is wonderful! (Something that really helps me is thinking of how long it would have taken me to lose the weight i lost w/o the help of hCG? I hope your answer helps you!
Terri I think you're doin great. I hope I helped ya. Good luck and update us!
~Rae~