From what I've seen on this message board and on the message board at www.whenhealthmatters.com you should gain about 5-8 lbs when you cheat. Not taking the shot that day won't matter because the HCG stays in your system for 72 hours. This is not like other diest when it comes to cheating...it's very unforgiving. The apple day only works when you truely stall...I don't know this from experience only from the posts I've seen.

i think how much you gain will depend on how badly you cheat. but i can't imagine you going up 5-8#. why don't you just compromise? have a low-carb meal, with maybe one glass of wine.

With risk of getting eyes rolled at me......what's a better gift to yourself on your birthday, keeping a promise to yourself that can make you proud...or calories that will take you longer to get off simply bc you were "treating" yourself?

Sometimes I feel bc I was only on a 23 day round that others may think I wasn't in it as long. But I stuck to it & lost my weight. Bottomline. Now that we're on maintenance I don't crave my kids easter goodies, I don't NEED to cheat at Easter - being on this protocol changed the way I think & feel about food. I love food, GOOD food, but I view it in a different light.

Give yourself a chance to get in that same frame of mind, when you're done - "treats" won't mean to what they once did.

Good luck!!

I am really hoping that all of you reply to this... I am so curious to see what you have to say.
Three days ago, I was feeling very, very weak. I had decreased my HCG thinking I was to high, and by day three of the decrease I was ready to faint with hunger and weakness. Anyways, I ended up eating an egg white omelet with a few diced tomatoes and three slices of turkey deli meat cut in. I felt absolutely stuff, a little sick, but stronger. My husband was really worried about me and I felt so icky I figured the consequences would be better then feeling like I was going to faint.

So... The next day I increased my dose to 175 on Friday. I had gained .5 lb from the cheat. I had lost that by the next day (probably just water) but have been stalled ever since. So here I am on Sunday - three days after my cheat - and I am still stuck. The funny thing I am still testing for high levels of ketones in my urine so I know I have continued to burn fat the entire time.

Is my body just holding on to extra water to accommodate the extra food I consumed as suggested in the protocol or what??? Help! I am getting so discouraged. My cravings are still gone and I have not cheated since, when will the scale move again?

I sure hope so. The good news is my hunger is under control It is so crucial to get the right dose. 175 was it for me.