OK, this will be a tad long. I am on sublingual regular HCG and I did great the first ten days. Had lost 9 lbs on VLCD9. Then ran into problem of "not going" and I have chronic constipation with IBS (for about 3 years now - before that, it was either diarrhea or constipation...so I had this issue before HCG.) I hadn't "gone" for two weeks since starting HCG drops. My weight went up - first gained 3 lbs, then another (now I'm at only 5 lbs down...!) Started Smooth Move tea, CALM, etc., nothing was helping. Finally after a few days, drank a bottle of Cherry Magnesium Citrate and a couple days later I was down 10 lbs VLCD16. So at this point, I thought, "I've lost a week, but now I'm back on track!"

OK - ever since then, I have bounced back and forth between 8 and 9 lbs down. Have never even hit the 10 lb loss mark again! I had planned to do a 40 day round (which would end July 23,) the 3 days after VLCD, then 3 weeks P3 and 3 weeks P4. My beginning weight was 153 and I am 5'2", medium frame. So it's not that I am in a normal weight range for my height. I really want to get to 120.

What do I do? Could my HCG have gone bad in two weeks? I feel like it has to be working "some," becuz for the most part I am not that hungry, though on Sunday, an hour after I ate lunch, I was feeling famished. The thing that really makes me think it is working some is that - before HCG I was hot most of the time, plus hot flashes. Now I am cold a lot. I continued to use my bioidentical hormones (cream inside wrists) for the first week, then forgot. When I realized I had forgotten for several days and wasn't having hot flashes, I decided I wouldn't use them till I was off HCG. I am still taking my sublingual allergy drops which is three drops each of two different drops - these have a sweet taste, but don't know if the sugar is really sugar. Though I was taking these at the beginning and lost. I take Rx anti-depressant (25 years,) and Rx diuretic (25 years.)

I have two more bottles of HCG from Celeste (http://purehcgforhealth.com/order.htm) Should I pitch the one I am using and start a new bottle? Should I buy HCG from some where else? (suggestions, please, if that's the suggestion.)Should I hang it up now and just do the 3 days VLCD, then P3 and P4? I felt bad that I had lost a week, but now I am at TWO lost weeks!! (during which I have lost NO weight!) I am following the protocol, though I do have the one egg/3 egg whites occasionally, and once or twice a week have a J Robb whey shake with strawberries (think it's pretty lousy made with water...one time even did with 1/4 cup cottage cheese - tasted a little better, but it's not enough volume. I don't feel like I had much!) I don't have a broad taste for fish, but try to have tilapia 3x a week; boiled shrimp 2x week, chicken is my main stay, grass-fed ground beef probably 3-4x a week. I have not had ANY bread stix or melbas, quite often have only one fruit a day. I was measuring my veggies for quite awhile, but read enough on here that most people don't weigh/measure veggies. I drink lots of water, tea, yerba mate tea, (Laci La Beau) super dieters tea, green tea, the lemonade suggested (w/stevia.) I would say I normally consume 12-14 cups a day.

I am at the point of being so frustrated becuz of living the protocol (working out 3x a week,) and not getting anywhere, that I am sure my anxiety level is rather high. Which I know is counterproductive in the weight loss game. I truly feel the protocol is not difficult to live with WHEN YOU ARE LOSING WEIGHT! But when you are at a standstill this long, it's not easy. I am starting to question my WEN hair cleanser (which I've used the entire time,) I changed from Curel to Aveeno moisturizing lotion a few days ago (does not list ANY oil,) I know my body shampoo has no oil and I've used the same thing the entire four weeks. I have used Carmex on my lips while sleeping only (the entire time,) using Alba oil-free moisturizer for my face. I use mainly SuperSmile toothpaste. I have not done any cooking other than my own (for over two weeks,) no baking, no touching cheese, fat, I don't know what I could be doing differently now than I was at the beginning.

Grammy, anyone - ideas? HELP!

That's what I was hoping - but this amount of time makes me start doubting "everything" and looking at everything as the culprit for nothing happening. I have also had no oranges, apples 3-4x. I think I will try cutting tomatoes (though that will be VERY hard for me!) and see if that might be holding it on me. Though I was eating them during the losing time. I will stay on for the 40 days and see what happens.

I lost two inches in my waist after 9-10 lb. loss, but so far no more inches lost. So I feel my body has caught up with the weight loss.

Thanks for your input!

the hcg from celeste is homeopathic. though they sometimes deny that it is. It definitely is.

I am a firm believer in homeopathics, but some people do much better on rx hcg.

I will get Curel Continuous Comfort today. Called allergy lab but got VM, so requested a call and what I wanted to know. If there is real sugar in those drops, I will be off them for the duration!

I am not THAT muscular that I am at a correct weight for my height. I can still see abnormal fat - like love handles/muffin top (which I didn't have three-four years ago - before I suddenly started gaining weight while eating healthy/clean and working out!)

I am on 15 drops 3x a day. Yesterday was the only day I felt hungry, but I was surprised! Do you or anyone have experience with "real" drops from Celeste. I listed the website in initial post. I had food allergy blood work done a year and a half ago when I had my allergies tested and eggs did not come up as an issue. But I will drop eggs and shakes and stick with "other protein" no matter how difficult and see what happens.

Thanks for you help!!!