After approximately 7 months on the HCG SlimXpress' protocol (not truly the Simeon's original protocol), I have lost 65 lbs and dropped from size 2x/18 to 12s and 14s depending upon the brand of clothing. Currently, I'm taking a break from the hormone and plan on resuming it in April to lose the last 20-30 lbs.
I was astonished that the first 30 lbs came off with little effort in the first 35 days, and it took approximately 70 more to get the next 30 off, however, it has been difficult to go much lower for me. I'm 5'3 1/2" and curvy - I need to get down to 140 to be at the top end of a healthy BMI. While the clinic I use does not believe in immunity to HCG, I do keep in touch with others who have experienced what they call immunity - an increasing hunger and a slowing of weightloss. That is why I decided that it time for at least an 8 week break; a time to maintain the loss and build confidence that I can keep the weight off on my own.
During the summer and fall months, before the weather turned increasing wet, I was walking about an hour a day at about a 3.2 to 3.5 mph pace. I really don't know how this impacted my weightloss, as others on HCG have had the same results with no exercise at all. Since the end of October until just recently, I was lucky to get in a short walk once a week--I don't like to walk in the dark and wet. This past week, I'm back up to 40 to 60 minutes a day.
What amazed me about this protocol, was that I have no sagging skin. None! My upper arm area lost 3" and there is no sag. I even lost weight in my feet. I have an hour-glass figure now, even though I still have more weight to lose off of my mid-section. I've gone from 45" (measured at my bellybutton) to 32" and from 48" hips to 38".
Truthfully, I was not hungry until the past month, when I began to experience in the late afternoon between lunch and dinner--that sign of immunity. I thought "500 calories a day, are you kidding? I'll starve" and honestly, I had to make myself eat my lunch and dinner portions. We've found ways to cook that does not use any fats that is flavorful and interesting. The only drawback, is that I lost about half my "thick" hair volume in November, but with additional vitamins and minerals, it stopped and I only notice that it looks thinner when I tried to use the large barretts I normally use to pull my hair back when exercising. By the way, those who have lapband, gastric bypass, or lose weight quickly on other plans often lose hair volume too.
All in all, I haven't found that my overall health has gone down, it hasn't. My BP and cholesterol have improved. I used to have some digestive upset, and since eating on protocol, it is gone too. My skin tone has improved and during the same time I lost 65 lbs, my body comp test show I've actually put on 18 lbs of muscle mass.
There are a great many critics of this plan, but it has worked for me, it has worked now for my brother-in-law (has lost 45 lbs), and it also working for the colleagues of mine at work who have just started it. Maintaining my loss and then resuming to finish the job is my next challenge, but I would have that challenge regardless of what plan I used to get the weight off. Getting the weight off quickly, at first, is a tremendous motivator. In the past, I've been diligent about dieting, and exercising, only to lose a pound a week--and put it right back on the next after being as diligent. It is frustrating and made me feel like I would always be large no matter what I did. This protocol has given me hope that I can make permanent changes and stay healthier weight for life.
Laurie