You need to stabilize, however that happens. If (as you suspect) you've hit immunity, you're probably going to gain some weight back, replacing the good fat that you've lost since the hcg stopped working. I doubt it would be more than 10 lbs. or so, and I doubt it will affect your measurements much, but it'll show on the scale. Be prepared, and don't let it wipe you out if it happens.

But, once you've stabilized and given your body a chance to adjust, you'll be primed to go on the next round and continue to lose the bad fat. I know how important this is to you, and I know you're going to beat this, but there may be a setback in the near future. Just push through it and know that you'll win in the end.

Hi I want to stick my nose in again. Very good topics, I love reading all this. (All this too is what works for me and hope it helps)
I've been maintaining, but didn't have as much weight to lose either. I will still do another round in late January to get the rest off 25 lbs. On the maintence, I've been using coconut oil - I love this stuff! about 2 T. a day added to my foods. (it's helping my metabloism) I also increased my protein intake to about 20-40 grams a meal. As long as you are keeping your carbs to 20-30 grams a day, you should not have to worry about calories so much or weight gain. I make sure I'm eating lots of vegetables and still one or 2 apples for my blood sugars. I have only allowed myself one slice of bread a week, because I know once I start back on breads I may have a hard time. I never was a sweet eater and when I went to a weight loss clinic before the nutritionist told me that I couldn't lose weight because I didn't eat enough of the right kind of foods - so I agree you have to not worry so much and just eat more proteins and right kind of fats. I still can't eat a lot eat, but when I start out my day with protein (eggs, omelet, 2 slices of turkey or even a leftover chicken breast) I feel better the rest of the day. Protein is sooo very important for our bodies.

Yes and on the Atkins bars, I only eat one every now an then. A box of 6 lasted me 2 weeks! But it's good to have one (or something similiar) in your purse when you go to a function that has Christmas treats. That way I'm not tempted and don't end up with a sugar hangover.

Anyway, I just thought you might add protein or even a protein shake. Jillian Michaels has a new one out that's very low sugar and you mix with water. Here's the nutrition on them. My husband is drinking them at work and still losing weight on his hcg. (that being said - he is also a guy and they are so different from the female body)

Calories 170 Calories from Fat 10

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 150mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 1g
Protein 35g 70%

Freckles, are you in P4? There is no bread allowed in P3 so I confused.
Colleen

I'm in p3 going to p4 but I will not reinstate the breads all the way until I lose the rest, becuase that's what my weakness is and giving myself an allowance of once slice per week will help me. Some do bread in phase 3, but if I do it will only be whole grains and one slice, so I don't fall off the wagon. I worked in dietary and cooked over the years and it was never sweets that caused me weight gain, it was too many pastas and breads and not enough protein, I lost weight before following a low carb lifestyle - just could not stick with it being tired all the time and pre-meneapausal, and couldn't get back to it until HCG. So in my new way of life, (the older, wiser, skinnier me) will not get carried away, but allowing too much in my diet, until I can keep the weight off for a long time. :0)

What I've learned from this protocol - diet is that it is a lowfat, lowcarb diet in p2 and a lowcarb in p3 and works just like maintence in p4 and you have to learn how many carbohydrates your body can handle to maintain your weightloss. My body, can't handle many carbs.

oh well you can't please everyone. The purists have spoken. Excuse me from being excited about this diet and commenting. I guess what I said has no ground, because I mentioned 1 little slice of bread. geeeeee whizzz.