You won’t see me promoting quick fixes or fad diets anytime soon. But every once in awhile something comes along that seems so dangerous I have to call it out. That’s why I’m going to help reveal the truth behind the HCG diet.
What it is: HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. This hormone is detected in the blood around 11 days after conception; it is detected in the urine around 12-14 days after conception. While it is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it is present in both genders.
What it does in the body: HCG signals the hypothalamus (area of the brain that affects metabolism) to mobilize fat stores. In pregnancy, this helps the body bring nutrients into the placenta, fueling the fetus with the energy to grow.
The weight loss claim: The HCG diet (using daily hcg injections) will help you lose 1-3 pounds per day. The HCG-diet combines the daily injections with a very low-calorie diet (500 calories per day).
500-calories per day is severely restrictive! In fact, it is not enough calories to support normal brain function. Your body will compensate by using stores of glycogen, protein (muscle) and some fat, which lowers your resting metabolism. Before you can lose true weight, you will be so irritable, lightheaded, and cranky that you’ll reach for whatever food you can get your hands on and have a field day.
Scientific evidence: There is no scientific evidence supporting HCG injections as a weight loss strategy. In addition, these injections have not been approved by the FDA for use in weight loss. In fact, since 1975 the FDA has required all marketing and advertising of HCG to state the following: “HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”
“HCG is a hormone extracted from urine of pregnant women. It is approved by FDA for treatment of certain problems of the male reproductive system and in stimulating ovulation in women who have had difficulty becoming pregnant. No evidence has been presented, however, to substantiate claims for HCG as a weight-loss aid.” via the FDA
HCG ban: The hormone was recently added to the list of “banned substances” in Major League Baseball, as it was becoming increasingly popular among steroid users. Athletes turned to this, among other “performance enhancing drugs” because it “mitigates the side effects of ending a cycle of steroids.”
Negative side effects: The common side effects include headaches, mood swings, depression, blood clots, confusion, and dizziness. Some women also develop a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS); symptoms of this include pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and legs, stomach pain, weight gain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting/nausea, and/or urinating less than normal.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Weight loss is hard work and it won’t come in a potion, pill, or injection. The most “dangerous” thing you should be doing to your body is trying a new exercise that intimidates you like rock climbing or completing a marathon.
Sources:
Banned in MLB
HCG Side Effects
FDA
CalorieLab : “Weight loss is hard, and human pregnancy hormone won’t change that”
Associated Content : “HCG Marketed by convicted fraud, Kevin Trudeau”
Diet Scam Watch : “HCG Worthless as a weight-loss aid”
If you want long-term success, check out programs that have stood the test of time like Weight Watchers or the meal delivery systems like Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig. At least these programs don’t have you taking expensive drugs.
Of course, I strongly promote visiting with a registered dietitian who can evaluate your current eating behaviors and help you work toward long-term behavior change and weight loss that sticks! Most of my clients lose 30 pounds eating foods they love. It starts with some basic knowledge of nutrients and energy balance and then progresses to increasing your awareness about your personal barriers to eating healthy and how to overcome them. You have the ability to achieve the weight and the life you deserve and you don’t need pills and potions to do it.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | diet scams, HCG, weight loss
Sorry Rebecca but I respectfully and strongly disagree with your assessment of HCG.
HCG has worked great for myself and my RN (25 years) wife.
One thing I’ve learned over the years (I’m 54) after fighting the battle of the bulge all my life is that is one size fits all when it comes to weight loss.
I can honestly say that I have never felt better on in my life while on HCG. I’ve dropped 46+ pounds so far after trying other traditional methods for the past 5 years.
My wife has had the same results. She’s now at the weight when we were married 16 years ago.
While it may not be for everyone, it has worked great for me and my family and I would recommend it to anyone.
(BTW, I am under Doctors supervision while on HCG and have blood work and physicals before and after my 43 day program). My MD is amazed on how well it works and has been complimenting me on my new excellent health).
You can read about my HCG journey on my blog.
Please leave a phone number so I can speak with you about HCG
7789889073
Mike Palmer
How can your wife be only 25 when you have been married for 16 years?!
He is saying his wife has been a RN for 25 years not that she is 25 years old.
because his wife has been a RN for 25 years, not that she is 25 years old.
I used the HCG diet plan and lost 58 pounds doing so. I have never felt better in my life. Sorry Rebecca, but I side with big1 on this subject. The real danger in life is not taking something to lose the weight, it is being that much overweight. Yes, I felt some dizziness when I first started the diet, but never was my hunger so bad that I could not tolerate it as you have suggested. Don’t knock it til you try it…..:)
The diet worked for me. I lost 20 pounds in four weeks. Was never lightheaded nor very hungry. I had no negative side effects. My fasting blood sugar returned to the normal range from being 165 or higher most of the time. My blood pressure also dropped about from about 150/90 down to 130/80. You say that one of the side effects is urinating less than normal. Quite the opposite! The protocol recommends drinking 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per day. Was urinating all the time. As losing50fast said, “Don’t knock it til you try it”.
[...] http://rebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/thinking-about-hcg-diet-look-elsewhere-for-weigh… [...]
Hi there, I am currently on my first course of hcg and can honestly say I am not hungry. I don’t even eat all the food I’m allowed some days. I just don’t want it. It is very restrictive but with the hcg cookbook i got online, the foods are pretty decent. Not what I would normally eat all the time, because I really don’t like meat that much. But the recipes make the meat bearable for me. I have lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks, so the claims of 1-3 lbs per day is unrealistic but I am happy with my weight loss so far. I am still very sceptical about long term weight loss success and the daily injections suck! By belly is bruised and sore. I really think that no matter what diet you use, when it’s over you WILL gain back weight if you go back to eating what you did before that made you fat in the first place. The initial weight loss is awesome but it’s your mind set that has to change in order to keep the weight off forever.
The diet worked for some friend of our who are both type 2 diabetics. They both had to stop their metformin because their blood glucose drops to WNL. My dad has had to stop taking his BP meds since being on hcg. Another lady has stopped chronically sweating since starting hcg. If you do your research, you will find that the hcg diet has far more benefits to it than just weight loss. I’m sorry but you can’t be a true critic of any diet until you’ve tried it and it has failed you.
Please what is the name of the HCG cookbook you got online. Thanks.
I can be a critic of this diet and any diet for that matter as a health professional and weight management expert.
Let me know when you lose weight and keep it off for 2+ years like people who are in the National Weight Control Registry.
One commenter on this post actually stopped the diet…
Well I’ve been off the diet for 5 days now. It just wasn’t working anymore and I know when to quit while I’m ahead.
I’m still feeling great and really don’t want to eat that much.
My wife on the other hand was trying to go longer and even was going to use my remaining HCG. This morning she finally gave in after really not feeling that good…light headed, weak, etc. After eating this morning some real food, she felt much, much better.
She knew she should have quit a few days ago but kept on pushing it.
This is the second time I stopped early. It seems to stop working at around 30 days for me.
Here’s a link: http://big1onhcgdiet.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/177/
It’s fine if you want to disagree with me, but I continue to discourage fad diets like HCG because it will eventually fail you. Everyone has the ability within them to change on their own. There are no magic potions. Support, love, knowledge, and believing you deserve health will get you through it.
Rebecca- Since you’re quoting me I thought I would clarify my original post. I did stop the diet. But I stopped at day 30+ instead going the full 40 days. I did this on my second round of HCG protocol. Round 1 I lost 21+ pounds. Round 2 I lost around 19 pounds. On both occasions I ‘stopped’ early. Around Day 30+ because I felt the HCG was no longer working and I did get that nasty feeling. During the 30+ I felt GREAT!. No problems, I’ve been off for a week and like the first time. I feel great. My wife also stopped 8 days short of the 40 day protocol.
For the record, I agree with your position of losing weight in the traditional sense. In fact, I once was a LIfetime member of Weight Watchers. I was down to 181. Years later I ballooned to 278. After many tries with ‘traditional’ dieting, nothing has worked. So far the HCG has worked for me and my wife. I’ll try to come and back in 2 years and let you know how things go. Finally, in full disclosure, I have linked to your story on my blog so that potential HCG’ers can hear your point of view.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Big1onHCGdiet (waiting 6 weeks until Round 3)
Hey thanks so much for your post! I love the WW program. My mom is a lifelong dieter and has weighed 150 to 300 pounds, two heart attacks, and diabetes. I am very well aware of the struggles that go along with lifetime weight changes so I feel for ya.
I am working on client testimonial video for my website. These are clients who are doing healthy eating and exercise. They lose 2-4 pounds per week, but it goes off and stays off. Not only that, but they do triathlons and half marathons and are so proud of their accomplishments. I hope these people can be voices of inspiration for you when you need it.
Rebecca
Rebecca,
In response to your example-
I’m not an expert, but according to the protocol I’ve read, the reason the hCG stopped working after the 30 days is because the gentleman mentioned built up a tolerance to it. Unless you skip one a shot each week, you will build up a tolerance to hCG after 23 days.
After 30 days it is expired, that is why it doesn’t work. It lasts 30 days after mixed and in the fridge. For people doing more than 30 days they will need new/fresh solution.
With all respect, it’s not a fad diet. It is only a fad diet because, I’m assuming, you’ve only heard of it recently. It has been around for 50 plus years. From your comments, it doesn’t seem like you’ve read the original protocol or researched it much. I see negative comments all the time in reviews on-line concerning this diet. It seems like they all sound the same, and frankly, sound ignorant. Then there are a ton of posters replying to the review saying how it worked for them. I did a lot of research before I started it. I am going on my second round. Lost 22 lbs in the first round. I admit that the first week was difficult, but after day 4 I felt fine. I ate 500 calories a day while taking my shots and still managed to work full-time and go to school full-time with no problem. I had to plan my meals out in advance, but that is no different than any other diet. I don’t feel hungry. If you follow it correctly it will work fine. The problem with this diet is that it is so restrictive and particular that many people can’t follow it correctly and end up quitting or reporting that it didn’t work for them. Even Dr. Simeons who did the original protocol didn’t think it would be effective for those that were not in a controlled clinical setting. Therefore, it isn’t for everyone. I’ve seen faster results and better results on this for much less cash than WW or Jenny Craig. I also don’t want to eat a bunch of processed pre-packaged foods like Jenny Craig type diets do. Most of the negative side-effects you listed don’t happen to most individuals on the plan.
just like any other thing in life that actually works,it is a major threat to the real fad diets that dont.I cant believe that any one with diet knowledge would poo-poo this diet it adresses the real root of obesity which is hormonal imbalance,it resets the hypothalmus!!and takes the stress off the adrenals and the thyroid since they have been propping up the malfunctioning hypothalmus.not only does it work the results are profound!and it teaches you to eat whole foods not prepackaged bs.in order to win the battle of the bulge you have to get your hormones in order and you have to learn once and for all you can only eat whole foods thats it there is nothing else and there never will be!!
I have scheduled a physical exam and consultation for the hcg shots and intend on giving this weight loss method a try. About a year and a half ago I lost 30lbs the old fashioned way. I was on a 1400 calorie diet and I exercised 5 days a week. I needed to loose another 30 lbs but couldn’t. I couldn’t see restricting my calories any more than what I already had, and I hated exercise! The weight wouldn’t come off and I felt like I was killing myself. After struggling for about 3 more months I stopped monitoring my calories and do not exercise a much as I should. I want a life in which I can eat normally and be active without having to keep a diet journal and exercise vigorously every day. I don’t want to struggle; I simply want to live sensibly and make choices that are healthy. My doctor and several sites I have consulted explained that hcg will reset my metabolism and allow me to live a normal life. I know these injections aren’t a fix-all, but I hope when I am finished I can live a healthy but normal lifestyle.
If you want this: “I want a life in which I can eat normally and be active without having to keep a diet journal and exercise vigorously every day. I don’t want to struggle; I simply want to live sensibly and make choices that are healthy.”
then you should get off HCG!
Keep a journal as long as it helps you build awareness about your food choices. You don’t have to workout every day, but the best health benefits come from 3-5 hours a week.
Take struggle out of it by rethinking how you approach food – fuel and nourishment, not mindless indulgences of imbalanced foods. Keep variety in mind.
Who is your doctor that said “My doctor and several sites I have consulted explained that hcg will reset my metabolism and allow me to live a normal life.”
Do you have a website or research on this? I can’t find any.
Hi Rebecca. I agree with you on some of your comments about weight control. I did the diet and most people change their eating habits afterwards anyway instead of going back to eating fast foods and foods that have lots of added sugar. I had to cut out sugar and gluten after figuring out some food allergies a year before I started this diet. I ended up losing quite a bit of weight just by doing that. The week I gave up refined sugar was awful! I had the worst sugar withdrawal. I felt pretty crappy that whole week and then I felt great afterwards! When you don’t eat those foods for a week or two your body gets rid of the cravings for them. On the HCG diet people are basically eating high protein meats, fresh fruits and veggies. I ate mostly fish, vegetables and apples, in addition to egg whites once in a while and some Ezekiel sprouted grain bread. My point is that most people starting the HCG diet go through that sugar withdrawal the first week on it because they’ve switched from highly processed foods with lots of sugar to completely whole unprocessed natural foods. After 23-43 days eating that way, they lose that craving for refined sugars and junk food. That would happen when anyone makes the change regardless of the hcg shots or not. The hcg shots helped me lose 22 lbs in a month and a half. I ate healthy before and I eat healthy after too. I try to eat as “clean” as possible and still don’t really crave sweets beyond the occasional piece of dark chocolate. I will say that the hcg did help remove fat from the stubborn areas of my body like my hips and thighs. I was sceptical about that claim at first because even when I’ve lost a lot of weight in the past… it always stayed on in those places, ugg. I still can’t believe when I look in the mirror that I don’t have ‘saddlebags’. I’ve been at this lower weight before and my body composition is definitely different this time, and for the better. I’ve monitored my health during and also my lean muscle mass. I haven’t lost muscle mass during this diet and my skin has stayed healthy looking. I have normal energy levels. Just my experience.
I would suggest going on YouTube and search HCG. There are several people that have been on the HCG, succeeded at their weight loss goals, and kept it off.
I myself have lost 30 pounds and maintained perfectly. If you would read Pounds & Inches by Dr. Simeons you will see there is a required maintenance phase for a reason. You do need to slowly work sugars and carbs back into your diet because yes, you will balloon right back up if you introduce them to quickly. My view of food has changed dramatically since doing the HCG Protocol (not diet) and I’m eating healthier and feeling better than ever. I did Weight Watchers and lost 35 lbs. in 4 months and yes it is very good method to lose, but why didn’t I keep it off like with HCG? My view of food is completely different now compared to how I viewed them after Weight Watchers and I never see myself being fat again.
well i have 23 day on the hcg diet not feeling hungry or depress or bad at all, on the other hand i feel great, i lost 19 pounds and i was size 14 and im size 9 now and im happy i still have more days to go since im doing the 40 day program im not loosing as much as the begining but im still loosing and im loving it, eating organic really helps and lots of water too, i hope that anybody who haven’t been able to loose weight can try this method because it really works, it did work for my family and friends and haven’t heard anything bad from anybody close to me, good luck if you are barely started….see ya…
Do you have video or before/after pics?
Rebecca, you can see lots of video logs on Youtube for this diet. Many people were pretty good about doing a video log a few time per week of the diet, if not daily. I liked how real and honest they were, including their struggles and concerns during it. Many of them struggled with the behavior part of eating that you mention in your article or a reply message in the comments section. Anyway, you can find some there.
That is great Yuri. I feel the same way. It worked for me too. I went from a size 16 to a 12 just by eliminating processed foods and refined sugars, but I went from a size 12 to a size 4 or 6 (depending on the brand) with hcg. It did help take off stubborn fat areas like extra weight around my thighs and hips. I have a pear shape naturally and my body really did transform into more of an hourglass shape on this diet.
I second the comment on the water. I’m usually terrible about drinking the water but when I follow it correctly I always notice bigger loses. I also slowed down on my results the closer I got to my goal. It took longer to get those last 10 lbs off but it was still fast results compared to most ways.
I would like to first start off by saying that I officially lost 100 pounds, the old fashioned way, with a lot of hard work and eating whole foods for a year. Then, my old habits started creeping back on me and I gained back twenty pounds, this has all been within a period of six years. I heard about HCG and wanted to give it a try because I heard it would be easier. Wrong! Although the weight came off a lot faster than the tradtiontional way, it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt dizzy, weakI, sick, light headed, and grumpy, very grumpy. I like to exercise and I could not even do the basic things while I was taking HCG. I lost 32 pounds which is great, but I’m not as proud of myself as I was when I lost 100 pounds. I have gained back in a matter of months 10 to 15 pounds, which took me 6 years to gain back when I did it the old fashioned way. I don’t know what to say maybe someone could help me understand the weight battle because it is hard for me. I am debating whether or not to do the HCG again, just because the weight came off so fast, but I don’t know if that is a good thing, I just want to do it again so I can stabilize my weight. If you have any suggestions for me please e-mail me back. I can’t do the yo yo dieting any more I need help with the basics. Sincerely, Trace
I have read that it is imperitive to go through the final phase sucessfully – that if you cheat during the last phase you will not be successful in re-setting your body’s set point. People who aren’t successful in the last phase will gain the weight back. After doing my homework, it appears to me that everyone is different. I am One week into my HCG Diet. My 2 sisters, my brother-in-law, and his father have all had dramatic success with HCG. They kept going on and on about how easy it was and how they were never hungry. Right now I am wanting to e-mail them and tell them the were full of *@#! I am SOOOO hungry and can’t stop thinking of all the foods I CAN’T have. The first 2 low cal. days were almost umbearable. I had to go to bed early both days because I could not stand the hunger. I am down 6 lbs so far. I have not had major drops like 3 lbs. overnight like my family had. My weight loss on HCG has been different from theirs. The other thing I wanted to mention is how different products we use have things in them that intereact with the HCG and effect your weight loss. My hands are incredibly chapped because I can’t use lotion. I am hopeful I will succeed. While I should be doing this diet for health reasons, I must admit it’s my vanity that is the priority. I just don’t like myself this much overweight.
Good luck
Diana
Dear Diana I followed the protocol perfectly. I stabilized for 90 days and then some. The minute I started eating what I think is somewhat normall food I gained 24 pounds back. HCG is just a quick fix and now it has actually made it harder for me to keep normal weight off. Sorry Tracey
trace,
thanks for sharing your experience about HCG…
“I heard about HCG and wanted to give it a try because I heard it would be easier. Wrong! Although the weight came off a lot faster than the tradtiontional way, it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt dizzy, weakI, sick, light headed, and grumpy, very grumpy. I like to exercise and I could not even do the basic things while I was taking HCG. I lost 32 pounds which is great, but I’m not as proud of myself as I was when I lost 100 pounds.”
I think you know the answer that HCG is not a good thing because it is not long term. You need to believe you can do this the right way!
I suggest you exercise, eat smaller portions and don’t skip meals, follow a DASH style eating plan that is calorie controlled. Log your food intake either with a free service at my pyramid, spark people, or a low fee one like calorie king. Get involved in their online communities.
I use go wear fit arm band with my clients…
If you need online nutrition counseling, email me!
I need to know what a DASH eating lifestyle is and should I use a body bug or just limit my calorie intake through a journal Please let me know Thanks Tracey
Trace, did you complete all the phases when you were done? I’ve heard a lot of comments about how people gained it back because they didn’t follow the last phase correctly. Not suggesting you didn’t, I was just curious. I think it is great that you lost so much weight just making healthier choices.
For people that didn’t feel so great on the diet or felt weak, I know some people that tweaked it here and there as far as the caloric intake and foods they ate and still lost fairly rapidly, even if it was at a slower rate than if they followed it to a “T”.
A friend of mine just started this diet. When she told me about it, I instantly felt there was something wrong with the whole idea of this diet. It seems to me to be a quick fix with fast results. This is very appealing to anyone who has struggled to lose weight but IMO the chances of gaining it all back long term seem very likely. I too am stuggling with my weight and she offered to get me on this diet with her. I declined because I absolutely believe that weight loss is achived when you combine a healthy diet with proper excercise. Sure, its hard work, but I didnt put all this weight on in 40 days and its going to take more than 40 to lose it. My friend is a compulsive eater and hates exercise. In fact this diet was so appealing to her for that one reason alone. Its hard to exercise when your daily caloric intake is only 500 cals. I burn nearly that much off in one session on the elyptical when I go to the gym. If this does work for others and works for her, great. But as for me, I’ll stick with eatting yummy healthy foods, excersise and a life style that has proven long term healthy results. Good luck to all and much peace!!
Kay =-)
Kay,
amen. “Sure, its hard work, but I didnt put all this weight on in 40 days and its going to take more than 40 to lose it. My friend is a compulsive eater and hates exercise. In fact this diet was so appealing to her for that one reason alone. Its hard to exercise when your daily caloric intake is only 500 cals.”
i don’t know much about this diet. in fact i just found out about it from one of my facebook friends. i’m overweight myself, and quick fixes are always tempting. when i first read about this diet, i immediatly cringed. not because of needles, (i’m a nurse, they don’t bother me), but because it immediately reminded me of phen-fen. many people had success, great success, with phen-fen, but that didn’t turn out to be such a good thing. i just hope people think it through first. it is not known how this will affect people in the long run. just be smart….you don’t want to get skinny just to have your life ruined a few years down the road.
Well, it isn’t a miracle and it’s a tough diet to follow. It takes will power and those that learn to eat healthy and make good nutritional choices will keep the weight off after. The main difference with this diet is that it helps get rid of stubborn fat (shrink those cells rather) that don’t really respond to normal exercise and diet. People do lose weight rapidly on a low calorie diet, but the HCG effects how the weight comes off, where and allows people to not feel sluggish and tired and not look gaunt.
So it is not a quick fix. I don’t understand why people freak out about taking a hormone to aid in weight loss but taking diet pills, eating pre-packaged and processed (Jenny Craig) food, liposuction and lapbad/gastric bypass which require the risk of surgery and many more complications don’t get as much criticism. I think people freak out about things they have not heard of or things that seem different. I had a similar reaction until I did LOTS of research. After 3 days of not taking the hormone (a naturally occuring one in the body) it is simply gone from your body. It is up to you to keep your weight off the way anyone would have to, which smart food choices and a healthy exercise plan.
Today is day 14 on the hCG diet. I researched this diet thoroughly before I started and would urge anyone considering this method to read Dr. Simeons’ paper (simply Google “Simeons pounds and inches” to access it). The science mades sense. Unlike other dramatic weight-loss programs (Optifast, etc.), use of the hormone ensures that ONLY stored fat–which is otherwise inaccessible–is utilized as a food source. I’m not physically hungry on this diet. I AM, however, addressing all of the emotional reasons that I eat, and mourning the loss of my “best friend.”
I need some help. I just started the HCG diet on Monday, and today, Friday, after being on my second day of 500 calories- I gave up and binged on forbidden foods. I was battling a bad headache which is probably a combination of no sugar, caffiene, and a severely low calorie diet. I feel a lot better that I ate some carbs, but my main concern now is if I can recover from straying on the diet or if I should just give up. I’m not sure what effects this will have on my body and I would really like some peace of mind/direction. I didn’t take the HCG drops this afternoon because I was feeling so awful and was teetering on quitting, and now am unsure if I need to continue or if I should completely stop. I’m worried that I’ve somehow harmed my body by starting then stopping. Any feedback or professional knowledge on my situation is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.
Holly,
I would have advised you to never start the HCG diet and instead seek advice from a registered dietitian specializing in weight management and a personal trainer credentialed by a reputable organization such as ACSM.
Here are some motivational stories from the National Weight Control Registry http://www.nwcr.ws/stories.htm
Also visit http://www.nutrition.gov which is a portal for nutrition resources.
Thanks, Rebecca. I appreciate your comments and am impressed with your blog and site.
The beginning is the hardest, it’s your body adjusting to the lower calories, but more so, going through sugar withdrawal. Most people eat a lot of sugar in their diets and don’t realize they are addicted to it until they start eating “clean” which you do on this diet, this withdrawal causes you to feel pretty crappy for a few days. It will pass.
I have to agree that you have to really do your research on the hCG protocol before you bash it. It was developed by Dr. Simeons in the 1950′s as a medical treatment, not a fad diet. He operated a weight loss clinic in Italy and people from all over the world went to him for this treatment. There is a lot of science behind this protocol, which he explains in detail in his manuscript, “Pounds and Inches.”
The traditional recipe of “healthy” diet and exercise works, except when it doesn’t. Particularly for people like me with a metabolic disorder. I have PCOS with severe Insulin Resistance (aka metabolic syndrome). In researching this disorder I’ve come across this phrase many times: “weight gain resistant to diet and exercise.” Now I know why I have been overweight since puberty, as I had it since then but went undiagnosed for 20+ years. Since I was diagnosed (and before), I desperately tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, only to fail and despair that I am destined to always be fat due to my messed up metabolism.
When I started to research the hCG protocol, I finally began to have hope again that I could take this weight off. In 16 low calorie days I have lost 16 pounds! That is something I would have struggled months to lose, if at all. I did not choose this for the “ease” of it, nor the the rapidity of the weight loss. I chose it because it WORKS! If this program only promised 2 pounds per week, I would still jump on it, because I have never been able to lose that much and that consistently.
You have to know everything about this protocol before you try it. If you are hungry that means something is wrong. You should not be starving on it. As the above poster stated, it could mean that you did not load properly. It could also mean that your hCG is not potent, or you have to adjust your dose, sometimes higher or lower depending on the person. You have to have the knowledge or support to troubleshoot if you are having problems. Lastly, for the people who have regained weight, if you do not follow the protocol on the phases following the low calorie phase. That includes weighing daily, and doing a correction day on the very same day that you are two pounds over your last dose/injection weight. Most people find that they have to adjust their diet/lifestyle to healthy habits in order to avoid regain. That is the same for any weight loss plan.
Lisa –
As you are suggesting to “do more research” on the diet, I suggest you also do more research before spreading dangerous nutrition misinformation on my blog.
Any “diet” that promises rapid weight loss and restricts food intake to 500 calories a day is a fad crash diet. No qualified health professional, such as a dietitian or medical doctor would advise this diet UNLESS they have poor ethical standards and MONEY to gain from putting people’s health at risk.
There are a few medically indicated instances for short term very low calorie diets and it is with obese and morbidly obese individuals who need to lose weight for surgery in which their safety and health could be compromised. Bariatric surgery is an example. Even those diets are about 1000 calories and they don’t involve injecting HCG or anything.
To say healthy eating and exercise doesn’t work is irresponsible of you. I am very well aware of metabolic disorders – hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease and Wilson’s disease are some of the top ones that can make it difficult to lose weight. Hypothyroidism is the most common and can be treated. I have helped many people lose with with hypothyroidism.
PCOS is a condition that effects some women and is a hormonal imbalance, which is one of the reasons you get insulin resistance. Weight loss helps with PCOS. But you don’t need a crash HCG diet. I highly recommend PCOS sufferers get to know Angela Grassi, RD and read her books. http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview
Anyone would lose 16# in 16 days because of starvation – not this magical HCG.
I’m glad I wrote this post. It is clear to me that there are people who get money from selling it and who post misinformation type comments on my website. It gives me more chances to expose the dangers of this supplement.
Dieting doesn’t work. Behavior change does. Anyone can change their behaviors with the right information and support.
I find it funny that my post magically disappeared from here when I explained to Rebecca that it isn’t a crash diet. Again, do your research before you bash a diet that actually helps people.
Stacy,
As this blog’s administrator, member of American Dietetic Association, and member of the HCBE, I am committed to upholding the “code of ethics” of these organizations. One major area is making sure that this website does not contain nutrition misinformation and avoids causing people harm. I found your post particularly full of false information (suggesting HCG was effective and not “crash” or “fad”) and your tone unnecessary (implying I don’t do research before blogging.) There was nothing in your comment I could salvage with minor edits so I deleted the post, which is 100% within my right. No magic.
You are welcome to post links to published articles from peer review journals that support your claims, but I have found none. I’m not surprised because there is nothing about this fad diet that has a scientific basis for long term weight loss success. People need to change their behaviors (not just calories) and avoid the urge to run to a “magic” solution.
Losing weight for good is not easy. Change is challenging. Everyone has the ability to live a healthier life without this diet’s empty promises.
Rebecca
Rebecca,
While doing some research to consider HCG, I came across your blog and post to Lisa. After reading your blog, I have decided that HCG is not for me.
I am 55 years old and have hypothyroidism. In your post to Lisa, you mentioned that you “have helped many people lose with hypothyroidism.” I would like your take or recommendations on what type of diet that I should consider. In all my years of being treated for this condition, my doctors have never addressed my diet. As of now, I need to lose about 30 pounds. Otherwise, I am in good health.
Thank you for your comments and any direction and help that you can offer.
again we you have not studied the actual diet protocol,you are not on a 500 calorie a day crash diet, 2000 calories or more of abnormal fat per day are being utilzed by your body!!you are not losing weight because you are on a 500 calorie diet you are losing weight because the hcg is releasing abnormal fat stores,people who tried the 500 calorie diet with out hcg failed miserably!!
Rebbecca I really like reading your blog’s about HCG whether they are positive or negative it gives me something to think about both for it and not for it. A part of me wishes I could just do the HCG and get the 20 pounds off, I gained back from being on HCG in the first place, but that is just not possibl for me now , because by reading your blog’s today I realized that it is just a quick band-aid. I realize now that it’s about behavior change not a “diet” and until now,no matter what “diet” people or myself are on, no matter how fast or how slow welose the weight, it will all come back to haunt us unless we make a lifestyle change. It does not matter if you do the HCG perfect and stabilze for 6 weeks or whatever the “protocol” says, unless we incorporate eating right for the rest of our lives the weight WILL come back.
Tracey
Tracey –
“no matter how fast or how slow welose the weight, it will all come back to haunt us unless we make a lifestyle change”
You are so right. Congratulations and celebrate this important step in your journey.
You need to believe in yourself that you deserve better health and you can change. It’s not easy, but with the right support from family and friends, the right professional support, and the right mindset (which you have)… anything is possible. You will not fail.
In health,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, I agree with you on your comments, especially about behavior changes and such. I think that, instead of deleting people’s comments that say this diet worked for them (honestly, most of them are really excited because it worked for them and their wanting to share that comes from a good place) but this diet isn’t for everyone and should definitely be supervised by a doctor. I did it under doctor supervision and the doctor is board certified with many years in endocronology. (sp?).
I understand your concern and reasons for not approving of the diet, however, it has worked for a lot of people, changed their lives and helped them lose weight but also move onto changing those behaviors that lead to overeating and making healthier choices. Any diet that is restrictive of calories should be thought twice about by those that have a history of eating disorders. Restricting and very closely counting calories can lead to obsessive behavior in those individuals.
I made many previous comments (in my excited about my results and positive experience on this diet) and had no intention of misleading people or giving unhealthy information. Hopefully when people read these posts they can discern, for themselves, which to believe. If comments are allowed then you will always have pro/con comments. Editing out those comments that disagree with your original writing is just editing out any bias. Trust me, the internet is a vast vast place where in one second, people can jump from your site to another and get the information they want in a second. Their ability to make good judgements is up to them and not you. If you feel what you wrote is strong and better information, you shouldn’t worry so much about those that may disagree but trust what your wrote as being more informed and or persuasive.
Did you know that in Canada and Europe you can go to the doctor who write a RX for the diet. You take it to a compounding pharmacy where if you have insurance your bill ends up $1.98. Yep, 2 bucks. It is only in the US where this is not allowed. I wonder why? It is not because we are smarter than everyone else, but we sure hate to admit when we might be wrong.
This medication will never be FDA approved because it is not a synthetic substance, therefore it cannot be patented by a drug company and therefore there is no money for the research this country requires for FDA approval. If it could be patented, drug companies would be lining up to put the money in for research, knowing they would make billions of dollars in profits. Because it is not FDA approved does NOT mean this medication does not work. Many medications are used off-label, such as terbutaline for pre-term labor, which despite its widespread use by board-certified physicians, is NOT FDA-approved for that use (it is an asthma drug).
As with all medications, every individual is different and the hCG diet needs to be modified in some patients to include more calories. In addition, there are patients with hormone imbalances such as thyroid, estrogen/progesterone, and they will have difficulty with weight loss regardless of the diet, until they resolve that imbalance. The hCG does in fact help maintain lean muscle mass, measured by body composition weekly in our clinic. Patients on hCG who follow the protein requirements lose FAT, not muscle, and therefore maintain their weight loss. This is not the only way to lose fat, but it is one way, and it works for those able to follow a strict protocol.
On the surface, this diet looks and seems crazy due to the low calories; however, as one who has done the scientific research and also used hCG successfully in many patients, I know it works: it suppresses appetite, induces ketosis (as all very low calorie diets do), and promotes the loss of fat and maintenance of lean muscle.
To those wanting to start the hCG diet, look for a doctor who is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, ASBP.org, as these doctors are trained in medical weight loss, are familiar with medical complications of overweight and obesity, and many offer the hCG diet.
Good luck to those out there who want and need to lose weight.
Hello, I started HCG at 218 lbs. In 6 weeks I lost 28 lbs. of 100% fat based on a body fat composition test I had done before and after the diet. I was stunned at my lack of appetite and the change in my habits and feelings on food while being on the shots. I finally had hope.
Then, I was nervous about going off of it. I had so much control, no desire for sweets and absolute disdain for overeating. I loved the feeling of eating til satiated and could not stand feeling full. My mind had been pre-occupied with other things than, “what will I have for lunch… dinner… a snack. I’m bored….”
I maintained my weight loss with ease during the 7 weeks off of the shots. I could eat things that used to make me gain 1-2 lbs, and have no repercussions. Making better choices was just easy and natural.
My cholesterol has gone down dramatically as well as my blood pressure. I’m back on the shots again and have lost 17 lbs in the last 5 weeks. HCG has changed my life.
The people that told me about it are 2 women in their 60′s. Both have lost over a hundred pounds within a year’s time, and both have maintained their losses as well as their healthy habits for over 3 years. They say they too can indulge occasionally and not be punished with a yo-yo weight gain and loss situation. They have stabilized and now lead full lives where they are not preoccupied by their weight and their choices.
It has been a dream, given me the reality that I know I am going to reach my goal and maintaing the weight. I highly recommend it. You can do anything for 6 weeks!
WELL I HAVE BEEN READING A LOT RE HCG, DIETS.. I AM AT WITS END RE MY WEIGHT. I AM HYPOTHYROID .. HASHIMOTOS THAT IS,, TIRES ALL THE TIME AND IN PAIN.. AS FAR AS I HAVE READ SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HELPED AND GIVEN HOPE, AND ENERGY SO THAT THEY CAN EXERCISE, AND CONTUINUE TO EAT RIGHT..HCG MAY BE SHORT TERM,, BUT IT IS HOPE FOR MANY WHO FELT HOPELESS.WE ALL NEED SOME HELP SOME TIMES IN OUR LIFE..
I’m with you on this one Rebecca. Natural healthy foods and exercise is the way to go. The only side effects I have noticed. More energy, glowing skin, sleeping better, and my husband can’t keep his hands off me!!
Hello, I’m searching for diet related blogs like mine http://www.chiefdietician.com and I stumbled your site, nice blog!. I hope you could also include me in your blogroll.
By the way, you have a very good writing skills here. Keep up the good work.
You may gain a pound or two but will lose it right away and will get right back on track.
Do NOT cheat on sugars or carbs!! Eat extra meat or veggies, it’s your best bet and you’ll still end up doing great on your diet!
Rebecca,
I don’t know if this diet works one way or the other, or any fad diet for that matter but what I can tell you is this. Yes, there are some people who simply can’t get the weight off no matter what they do. I am aware of the rare disorders that can prevent weightloss and the not so rare thyroid disorders and I have been tested for every one of them. After 6 months of eating 1400 calories per day all in healthy foods, the amounts and types I determined from the food pyramid as well as excercising (cardio) at least one hour every day and still not losing a single pound I became convinced that for some people simply dieting and exercising is not enough. I still eat healthy, I still exercise, and I still cannot lose weight, in fact I’ve gained 5 pounds. I’m wondering if maybe there are some things that we just don’t know about yet, with so much testimony out there of people in my same situation who have tried without sucess to lose weight the proper way and have no medical conditions that would heed their process, I wonder if it might be something yet undiscovered. We used to think the world was flat, we used to think that an atom was the smallest particle, we used to think space travel was an impossibility. All I’m asking is, if there are so many things in our world that have yet to be discovered, and so many things that are discovered every day, how can you tell me that you are 100% sure that all people need to do is eat right and exercise and they will lose weight. Nobody’s ever looked at these people who claim to do these things and still not lose weight, most people simply believe that they are lying, that they do not exercise or that they cheat in their eating, but assuming is not going to cut it. So…what would you suggest to a person who has done everything right and still can’t lose the weight. I have resisted fad diets in the past knowing how fleeting and potentially harmful they are but I feel as though I have no other options and I am quite positive that your advise to me will to simply be to cut my calories more or exercise more, and believe me I have tried. If you have a viable piece of advise that is outside of your typical realm of thinking I would love to hear it, I am tired of the same advise day in and day out, believe me when I say, some people simply cannot lose weight the normal way and please if you truly have extensive knowledge about weight loss figure out what we can do about it…
Hey Lexy… fad diets don’t work in the long term and I don’t need clarification on that matter. What does work is rejecting dieting, learning about mindful eating and intuitive eating (google for info), and changing behaviors.
There can be so many things going on from inaccurate calorie counting, inadequate deficit of calories with nutrition and exercise for weight loss, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, endocrine system issues, or sometimes just unfavorable genetics. We are not all supposed to be one size. If you don’t smoke, can walk at least 30 minutes a day, and make half your plate vegetables at lunch and dinner and half the plate fruit at breakfast then you are doing some of the best things you can for weight management and avoiding chronic disease.
I see people who think they need to lose weight who don’t. Most of the people who I have helped lose 60+ pounds did it with these simple changes and a lot of emotional support. When people are not successful it 99% of the time has to do with an underlying psychological challenge that they are having difficulty with. I will refer out to a therapist, but they don’t always go. I have seen people who lose 5# and then immediately sabotage themselves and regain 10# when they are really honest about it, they realize they are committed to their weight struggle and almost afraid of success.
You asked me “So…what would you suggest to a person who has done everything right and still can’t lose the weight.”
I would tell you to visit http://www.eatright.org and find a registered dietitian who can review your typical eating behaviors, get your RMR measured, find a dietitian who is willing to do a pantry analysis, meal planning and grocery shopping with you, wear a pedometer and get 10,000 steps every day, limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks a week, and most important, be positive…. I sense a lot of frustration in your tone. Negativity is the enemy of success. You need to trust yourself and believe you can change, you can lose weight (if you need to), you can live a healthier life, and it is okay to let go of whatever you are holding on to that is getting in your way. Definitely work with your doctor and a good endocrinologist to determine if you have a thyroid problem, high cortisol, vitamin D deficiency, or a genetic problem like Cushings or Wilson’s disease. I can’t really give any indication of what is going on with you personally over email. But I can say before investing in fad diets maybe you should invest in yourself.
Rebecca
“After 6 months of eating 1400 calories per day all in healthy foods, the amounts and types I determined from the food pyramid…”
Portion distortion can be a factor as well as inaccurate calorie counting. Many people overestimate their calorie usage through exercise and underestimate their intake.
“…as well as excercising (cardio) at least one hour every day”
Cardiovascular exercise is wildly overrated for weight loss. Steady state cardio (i.e. walking for an hour) is especially ineffective because our bodies adapt to doing the same thing over and over and we actually end up burning fewer calories.
I stronger encourage you to read Alwyn Cosgrove’s article, “The Hierarchy of Fat Loss”. http://alwyncosgrove.com/2000/01/hierarchy-of-fat-loss/
Concentrate on eating as few processed foods as possible and start strength training. If you want results, you’ll have to challenge yourself and, no, you won’t “bulk up”. You won’t have to work out an hour a day and you’ll get way more out of it.
Concentrate on compound movements that utilize multiple muscles and burn more calories. Two excellent programs: Craig Ballantyne’s Turbulence Training ebook and Rachel Cosgrove’s book, “The Female Body Breakthrough”.
Don’t give up. Good luck.
Interesting Site.
I lost 36lbs on my round of HCG. Did the maintenance phase. Ate like a PIG through the holidays for 12 weeks. Only gained 2 lbs. Felt great the whole time. I’m starting round 2 today. My sister-in-law also was very sucessful. She has kept her weight off for ALMOST 3 years.
Oh, and I have Hashimotos Disease too (Thyroid disorder).
When eating right and excersise don’t work (Tried for years) something has to change. HCG Got my body moving again.
Your advice Rebecca is not bad but HCG DOES work well….you need to keep an open mind. There are always exceptions to every rule. This is one of them.
I am doing a version of HCG – a homeopathic version. I have lost 23 pounds and it is staying off, although I confess it has only been 50 days. Don’t knock something you don’t know enough about. This isn’t a fad diet. It is a scientific way of losing weight. It is easy to keep it off if you follow the protocol. MANY MANY people have kept the weight off for years. I have always watched what I eat, I have exercised like a maniac for almost 30 years – no more than a week off here and there throughout this time. I have counted calories and could never figure out why I was gaining weight. DIscussed it with several doctors who had no explanation either. For the first time in 20 years, I am able to control the scale. A calorie is not a calorie. As the poster said before me, it changes you.. it changes your metabolism. It changes the way you can eat. I am very confident I will keep the weight off.
It’s amazing how many crutches overweight people look to to lose weight. It demonstrates desperation and an addiction to a quick fix. Yet, when all is said and done (even if they do lose the weight, emotional eating has been identified as the largest reason why people can’t lose weight and the largest reason why 95% of them gain it back. Even those who write about emotional eating miss the mark–they usually give advice to do things like go for a walk, take a deep breadth, eat celery, and at best suggest focusing on the stress that causes the emotion. The reality is that the real stress is the resultant emotion from the stress. Focus on that emotion, feel it, embrace it and it disappears and so does emotional eating.
Thanks for posting this Rebecca. I almost fell for another crash diet, and after researching this diet, I think I would be depriving myself of nutrients as well. The people I know that follow this Hcg diet are starting to get irritable and from what I have noticed, lost that sparkle in their eyes. Instead of enjoying their days off work, they are laying in bed, sick and dizzy, and not being able to eat. I have been in an eating disorder clinic before, and the first thing that comes to mind with Hcg is aneroxic tendencies. With the right variety of healthy foods there’s no need to fall for a scam like this. I think people are finding excuses to be lazy. That’s that. I am diabetic and have always had a hard time losing weight, but its not all about the weight loss. It’s about feeling healthy.
Here’s a personal testimony of the HCG Diet. I have done the program twice, each time I opted for the 23 day program. The first time I lost almost 20 pounds, and this time it’s looking like it will be around 15 pounds. I have had no problems either time. This time my husband decided to do it with me because he saw the results the first time. He too has had great results, he has lost 15 pounds so far and has 5 more days to go. He too has had no problems.
This is a great way to kick start a new life style. It helps you get rid of the weight, but it is up to you to keep it off. The weight will slowly return if you eat crap on crap such as donuts, cake, cookies, White Russians with half and half, pasta with rich sauces, etc. The weight does stay off if you eat responsibly.
I first learned about this diet from a friend of mine who is a RN and her friend who is a RN, both of these people know of several doctors who have personally done the HCG diet as well. I recommend this to anyone who has the will power and desire to lose weight and will continue to do so. Don’t be too quick to judge unless you have tried it. It’s changed my life and many others for the better.
I have been doing that too. Did anyone try Cesto Scale ? Its a food scale, i would need your advice before i buy it. If you have tried it, then do let me know. I buy hcg supplies from http://www.hcgdietsource.com/hcgdiet-and-supplies.html and they have recently added this product.
Please advice about cesto scale. Thanks
I’ve lost 67 lbs in 3 rounds of HCG and doing well. Had a bit of a headache the first couple of days but they quickly subsided. Hunger was never an issue and haven’t been “irritable, lightheaded, and cranky that you’ll reach for whatever food you can get your hands on and have a field day”. WW is just as much a fad diet as anything else. Most people I talk to on a daily basis that have done or are doing this protocol are doing this as a tool to get the weight off and realize once we get to our goal we will have to maintain the weight with a better diet and exercise. There are hundreds of documented success stories compared to very little unsuccessful stories.
You got it Mike… a bunch of “stories”… no reliable scientific evidence to speak of. If you have it, please post the links to reputable peer-reviewed journals.
If HGC works, why don’t they use it on The Biggest Loser? Looks like nutrition and exercise wins out.
Only evidence I need is my body. My body fat has gone down 8%, I’ve lost 67 lbs, lost 2 pant sizes, and I’m getting compliments everyday. On top of that I know about 40 other people that are having the same success. Any weight loss program is worthless if you don’t change your eating habits and don’t exercise. That’s not debatable. As a tool to get where you want to get quicker I’m a believer!
So where are your scientific studies saying it won’t work? The Biggest Loser is a great show but its not reality. How many people can afford to take off several weeks of work, and pay for the nutritional advice they get on the show? I know several people would do that if they had the opportunity. Like I said I’m using this as a tool not a end all. I’ll tell ya it’s a hell of alot easier to exercise at 260lbs than it was at 330. This is helping me get to my goal so guess we will just agree to disagree.
Fast weight loss is not healthy or long term. The only fast weight loss that has scientific evidence is the various gastric bypass surgeries and we all have seen some people who have not maintained that weight loss because they never changed their behavior.
It seems like we agree on behavior change so we will leave it at that. As an expert in weight management and former lifelong dieter you would not see me promoting specific diets, especially something as potentially harmful as HCG and I’m not alone. Not a single reputable medical group or agency advocates it. Online sales is what drives it.
Biggest loser is reality if you take in the exercise and nutrition training. You just won’t get results that fast. We all need to be a little more patient and realistic. Check the National Weight Control Registry… no evidence of anyone on HCG there.
Have a great day and thanks for leaving your testimonial, but I’m looking for science on this issue.
The Science is in “Pounds and Inches’ by DR. A.T.W. SIMEONS.
Try reading it!
http://www.hcgdietinfo.com/HCG_Diet_Dr_Simeons_Manuscript.htm
The FDA, Doctors and insurance companies won’t approve HCG because they make billions off of obese people. Fat and unhealthy=$. Have you read “Pounds and Inches” where the doctor explains the diet and why it works? It sounds like scientific evidence to me.
Don’t the people on The Biggest Loser sometimes lose 10-20 lbs in a week? Didn’t the one guy lose over 100lbs in 12 weeks? How is that safe? I thought you experts say 1-2 lbs a week is the safest way? Also how many people have died from complications of HCG compared to the number from gastric bypass? How many people can afford $100-$200 to lose the weight they need as opposed to $25,000 for gastric bypass. I’ve heard of people gaining the weight back after that procedure too.
Science is great but when it comes to things like this it has many variations. People have lived many years after being “scientifically” diagnosed with a terminal illness and told they have months to live. Science is ever changing and is easier to accept with an open mind!!!!
No need to yell and throw insults my way, Mike… here’s the bottom line: HCG is a diet. Dieting does not work in the long term. Not HCG, not meal delivery, not anything that includes restrictions good/bad foods, etc. There is a mind/body connection that short circuits in people who get up in the 300s. I know, I have family there. It’s not just knowledge, there are other things people “hunger” for an it is not physical hunger for food. Be it addictions, depression, or support. It takes years to gain that amount of weight and should take years to heal.
Your argument about doctors not wanting HCG approved because they make billions is baseless.
Scientific evidence is published in peer reviewed journals like New England Journal of Medicine for example.
Yes, I agree that the rates of weight loss on BL is huge, but they are all medically supervised. They burn 6000 calories a day and eat like 2000 so they have huge deficits.
I have helped many people lose significant weight without a drug, pill, potion or empty promise. And they keep it off, they don’t get gastric bypass or take HCG. It’s hard work, but they change from the inside out!
Quick reply…why is it that most all of your comments are for HCG and not against?
I don’t know… What do you think?
Sound like it works to me.
Never yelled just don’t understand your logic. Why not just say diets don’t work rather than single HCG out? You could copy and paste the same thing for every diet on the planet! I understand this is your blog and can say whatever you want but why not say at the top…”Diets don’t work no matter what diet. Exercise and eating healthy is the only way! case closed” I’m under the philosophy of do whatever works for you. Not everyone is going to agree with everthying you do in life but thats why its your life not someone else’s.
I’m glad you have a blog where people can discuss this. I’m not saying your wrong when it comes to a keeping weight off. I do disagree with people judging others on how they get there!
Mike, consider using fewer exclamations and sayings like “Try reading it!” but to answer your comments…
I chose to write about HCG because it was rising as a web-based fad diet trend mostly fueled by people selling the stuff.
When I saw the calorie deficit that was involved and lack of evidence, I spoke up. I said diets don’t work several times in this thread and in the post.
Exactly, people can do what they want to their own bodies. There aren’t enough voices out there saying “It’s okay. You don’t need this pill/potion.”
I don’t think it is right to judge people based on gaining or losing weight. As a weight management expert, I have definitely earned the credibility to say what science shows and can talk about my experience in counseling clients. I work with addiction therapists, physicians, and clients.
I have witnessed “calorie control” diets where someone loses only a pound… that’s because it is still a diet. Since you watch BL, what do you think of the breakthroughs and crying that goes on? You can tell it goes way deeper than just eat this/don’t eat that. Emotional eating can be very psychologically overwhelming.
HCG is a band aid, not a healer. That’s what is important for people to see.
My mind body connection was called Fast food for breakfast, fast food for lunch, and fast food for dinner! I only ate 3 times a day and didn’t eat anymore than my friends. I’m male and not into cooking for myself. Through HCG I’m learning to cook healthy things! So its all good!
Why do you need HCG to cook healthy?
Its taught me how to prepare healthy proteins, veggies and fruits. There are many different variations of each I’ve learned to cook. I didn’t realize it isn’t all that tough to make good tasting healthy food in minimal time.
You single? Where are you from? Maybe we could do lunch or dinner sometime and we could discuss this whole diet thing!
Mike, but you don’t need HCG to learn how to make healthy protein, veggies, and fruits. Not when you have Google!
Buy veggies. Eat veggies. Buy fruit. Eat fruit.
What does a typical day of 500 calories food intake look like for you? How long have you had 500 calories a day?
Read my bio to see answers to the other questions…
I’ve done 3 rounds so 500 cal days by round…30,28,24…..Each round there was a break to stabalize the weight I had lost. Typical day- Morning an apple, lunch Chili, strawberries and broccoli, dinner Talapia and broccoli and a protein shake for snack.
So you tour I read…didn’t see anything about being married though. You coming to Cincinnati anytime soon? Maybe we could meet up. I sent ya a request on Facebook.
That sounds like more than 500 calories to me… maybe closer to 1000? There is some mounting evidence for short term very low calorie diets (around 1000) in morbidly obese. But no HCG needed.
Interesting no heavy processed empty calorie foods. From fast food to that type of eating, anyone would lose weight without HCG.
apple – 100
chili – 100-200 (for a small amount)
strawberries – 50
broccoli – 50
tilapia and broccoli – 250 (for a small amount)
I am married and I’m surprised my bio didn’t say that. (Opps sorry honey!) I’m from Ohio. It can be hard to eat healthy there. Very sedentary, fast food type of environment. Save your HCG money and buy healthy food. You’re on the right track.
Medium Apple- 80 cals
Chili with 96% lean ground beef- 140 cals
5 Large Strawberries- 30cals
3.5 oz of steamed Broccoli- 50
1 4 oz talapia- 98 cals
3.5 oz steame Broccoli- 50
Protein shake- 100
Total=548 cals…proteins are 100g raw veggies are 3.5 oz raw…..
Why didn’t you say you had the numbers? Would have saved me time estimating, although it was fun trying.
I have counseled people with eating disorders who had journals of food intake this low and the same foods every day. So be careful.
Let me know what happens when you resume normal eating. Your calorie deficit must be about 2000-2500 calories a day. So you would lose weight, several pounds a week, but you don’t need HCG. The body does it on it’s own, but you would also lose lean mass due to low protein.
yeah but the HCG kills the appetite too and resests the hypothalmus if done correctly…the day after round 1 I went on vacation to Florida and drank beer all week and ate pretty much what I normally would before the diet, with the exception of alot of carbs, and when I got home I weighed exactly the same. I then waited about 7 weeks before my next round of HCG and only gained 2 lbs. That was eating about 2500 cals a day which was about were my BMR was. So I know if I did that long term my weight would slowly creep up.
I’m from ohio too!
Personally, I am leary of any quick fix especially when it starts playing with hormones. Results may be great at first, but somewhere down the road you usually pay the price healthwise. And 500 calories a day doesn’t sound good to me at all. How can that be healthy?
Rebecca,
I am on day 12 of the HCG, and I have been amazed. I have always been quite fatigued, needing lots of sleep, and also hypoglycemic. Not only am I losing weight at a rate of a pound a day, but my whole energy outlook has changed. I feel very happy and I have not experienced any of the hypoglycemic reactions I am used to when I restrict my calories. I actually feel so much healthier that I have felt in along time. I don’t crave my naps like I used to, and I have so much energy! I think this stuff is amazing! The only thing that has been hard is my habit of using food to keep me going and as a distraction at work. It is so hard to drive past some of my favorite eating stops and force myself not to eat there, not because I am hungry, but simply because I love the taste of the food. I agree with previous posts, don’t knock something until you have tried it. This was an experiment for me, and so far, I feel like telling everyone I know how great this has been.
The benefits you are describing can be explained by changes to what you are eating. And HCG will never solve your issue of
“The only thing that has been hard is my habit of using food to keep me going and as a distraction at work. It is so hard to drive past some of my favorite eating stops and force myself not to eat there, not because I am hungry, but simply because I love the taste of the food.”
And as far as “don’t knock it until you try it”… I will always knock it. Diets of any kind, especially HCG, do not work in the long term. We need to kick the dieting habit, understand why we we eat and make peace with food and our eating habits. There is a better way than scary crash diets and expensive injections with no scientific base.
I wish you the best on your journey and hope one day you consider learning about mindful eating!