Hi, My name is Andrew. I am 42 years old and live in the Phoenix, AZ area. Today is my first full day on the HCG Diet. I timed it to start after 'Superbowl Sunday' and I am looking forward to one more day of beer and wings. Alright...I am really sulking and thinking about all the great things I won't be able to eat after tomorrow. I am a choc-aholic and I know I am my worst enemy. I am serious about doing this and will be able to control what goes into my mouth. I have read some of the discussions on HCG measurments and find it all confusing. I trust my doctor knows his math and protocol for this diet, so we wont worry about that stuff.

What I need is good advice on tasty meals for P2. I struggle with finding the time to spend in the kitchen and need to know what are the best and easiest meals to prepare. I like the idea of protein shakes in the morning, but need to know which is the most aligned to the protocol and tastiest? What fruits and snacks are healthiest and most filling? I would also like advice on constipation. My doctor says it is imperative to "pass a movement" each day. He suggests an herbal tea that promotes "movements". Any suggestions???

Jay Robb shakes are my favorite. Vanilla with frozen strawberries, and if you like it sweeter add a packet of stevia. Favorite P2 meal of all time is Tilapia (you can buy frozen fillets at Costco) you can cook them from frozen which is so easy. I slide it out of the individual packet and weigh out my 3.5 oz portion, and put the rest back into a plastic bag and throw it in the freezer. Then when I have enough little pieces that I have cut off to make 3.5 I use those pieces. Anyway, I dribble lemon juice over the portion then season it with a little kosher salt, and Costco No-Salt Organic Spice Blend. Cook it for 32 minutes and have my vegetable with it. I usually have one fruit in the morning as a snack and the other one about an hour before dinner to curb my appetite. I skipped the melba toast and lost better. But the most important things I've learned on P2, drink, drink, drink, water is your best weight loss friend, and eat slow and savor every bite of food.

Oh, as far as constipation goes this is what works. Natural Calm Magnesium ... here's a link to a site that sells it just so you can see: http://www.calmnatural.com/product/18340500001 You can buy it at most health food stores, as was already said, many of use this daily. Traditional Medicinals "Smooth Move Tea" can be used for those occasions when you need a little extra, be sure to use at night before bed rather than before work :). Another thing that is very effective is mega doses of vitamin C, works fairly quickly.

I suck at the math portion so I'll get us some help, but I have a mental alarm going off about the 5000 mixed with 5 ml. It should be more like 15-20 ml bac. water. Hang on...let me get some help.

The standard dose for subq.... 1/2" needle is 200iu. If I'm figuring right 25 units would be 250iu which is to high and you will probably experience hunger and risk immunity at that dose. I believe the correct dose would be 20 units.

I don't know what "the simple foods" are.... is that a brand of food? It sounds like your doctor is using a different protocol. I can't suggest strongly enough that you read pounds and inches before you start. At least read the diet portion which is about 1/2 of the way down.