HCGers: I won't pee in your pool, but I won't lie either...

Azdak

I decided to post this separately rather than as a comment in someone else's topic, because I did not want this to be personal. (This is also my second topic with the word "pee" in the title, except that this time, it's intentional).

The topic of the HCG "diet" has become a controversial one on this site and has provoked strong opinions. Overall, I don't think this is a bad thing. although IMO the discussions are becoming as non-productive as religious arguments at this point.

There are a number of threads specifically posted for supporters of this plan to congregate. That is fine. Anyone who knows me or my general philosophy knows my position on this subject--I have nothing positive to say about it. However, I don't feel that it's my place to bigfoot around MFP and go into topics that are specifically identified for HCG supporters and post negative comments. That's your pool, your playground, and I respect that.

But there are also other topics,like the one I read tonight in which the OP advocates for HCG, but then states that no one should post any negative comments, because "we should all support each other".

Sorry...ain't gonna happen.

All too often, people feel it is necessary to set up a false moral equivalence among all choices, when in fact there are significant differences. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions"--this is often used as a method of trying to suppress discussion, not encourage expression. If you are entitled to express your opinion, so are the dissenters.
I don't understand why the acolytes of certain ideas -- in this case HCG -- feel they are entitled to a free pass to proselytize all over the site, and yet those who disagree and post dissenting opinions are looked at as "non supportive". And sometimes there is definitive research or a wealth of consensus expert opinion that supports one idea over another--if someone does not know that information or chooses not to believe it, it doesn't mean their "opinion" is equally valid just because they have one (except on cable talk shows).

I understand that losing weight is a struggle for many, and a desperate struggle for some. I also know that there are many different paths to success. However, there are also practices that have been shown to be, at best, ineffective, and sometimes even dangerous. And if someone starts a topic asks seeks opinions from others, or tries to promote a practice that has been shown to be ineffective or pose some risks, then I feel I have an ethical obligation to provide opposing facts, even if that means I am not always "supportive".

So, again, I am not going to engage those people who have made up their minds, and I don't think that those who disapprove of HCG should go into the HCG support topics and start arguments. To me, that's just common courtesy. And it's the same with other topics, such as --30 Day Shred, P90X, Low-Carbers, Atkins, etc.

But if anyone cares to come out to advocate this plan in the "open marketplace", so to speak, well, I'm sorry, but not every idea is worthy of uncritical "support".

RushinBruisette

Well said :flowerforyou:

OnionCookie

I give you a giant round of applause. Cheers with water. :drinker:

❤B☩❤

WOW, Azdak, that was very eloquently put. And to that I applaud your voice and your opinion. I am in agreement with your opinion, not that you were necessarily LQQKING for it, but it just makes sense.

Unless you've had too much water today, I'm also going to buy you a round....:drinker:

At the end of the day, everyone's journey is their own personal journey. However, I really hope people are doing their homework for the long term effects of certain 'diets'. And I say 'diets' because this is definitely not a lifestyle change. I just want people to be informed, and safe!

Peace to all! :flowerforyou: (Olive branch...just in case!)

Aeriel

Good for you. Everyone has the right to their opinion and the expression of it. People who are serious about their health should read all views and be well informed on a topic before committing to it, and by those topics not allowing alternative views to be expressed, people are not getting the entire picture. Hopefully people will view all discussions and not rely on one board as their sole source of information.

SassyMissDasha

My dad was on HCG diet and he went to Bootcamp one morning, and the same afternoon he had a massive heart attack and died. That's all.

CroakerNorge

And they all said "amen".

millerll

Well said, Azdak. I'd never heard of HCG until I started on this site, and from what I've read, I'll pass. To me, the biggest problem with HCG is the lack of self-policing amongst the providers. HCG "clinics" are springing up everywhere, charging "clients" hundreds of dollars for pills, drops, or shots. There appears to be little follow-up for many of the "clients" and they will sell it to anyone.

Notwithstanding the relative merits (or dangers) of this protocol, there appears to be no minimum standard for application. For example, to be eligible for gastric bypass, one usually has to be around 100 or more pounds overweight. But they will sell HCG to anyone with a credit card. One of my coworkers, who wants to lose 10-15 pounds, told me she wanted to go to one of these clinics in our area. It would have cost her several hundred dollars for the program. I tried to explain the dangers of a very low calorie diet, and recommended that for that amount of money, she could easily afford a gym membership and a dietician consult and lose the weight safely in a few months. In my opinion, someone like my friend shouldn't even be a suitable candidate for HCG. But of course, they didn't turn her away when she went to see them. I don't know if she ever went through with it (it doesn't appear she's lost any weight in the intervening months), but it also doesn't look as though she's done anything else to lose her weight (as in nutrition and exercise).

As long as this "diet" is wildly popular, and lucrative, with no official oversight or standards, I will never consider it safe.

Maggie1960

The HCG diet has yet to hit the UK but undoubtedly it will one day - it will be interesting to see how it is perceived.
I wonder if the drops/injections/shots will only be available for those who can afford private healthcare? At the moment, there are only two weight loss medications available on National Health Service prescription, Alli and Xenical, and people have to show a commitment to losing weight (at least 10%) prior to being prescribed it, and have a BMI of greater than 30. That being said, both drugs can be bought over the counter for a higher price.
I shall wait and see what happens, if and when the HCG comes here.

Meanwhile I shall continue losing weight successfully by eating less and moving more, and spending any spare cash I have on smaller, sexier clothes:bigsmile:

ladyhawk00

Just happened upon this one - Well said.