just started the hcg diet, any advice?

audram420

Not quite sure how you can imply that someone is "that stupid" when you are actually saying that eating 500 calories and NOT exercising is good for anyone's body...for 21 days or 40 days or whatever. Our bodies need exercise and need nuritionment...

emilynicole02

I have not felt hungry, the drops help to control that and you do get a nutritious lunch and dinner as well as 2 pieces of fruit a day. You will be so happy with your results, so just stick with it!! This diet will retrain you bad eating habits (which is what got us here in the first place)

lady. you are crazy... this is NOT a good way to be healthy----which isn't THAT the reason we are all here??? yes we want to lose weight but also be healthy about it.

kapeluza

Prepare to gain back all the weight you shed.

MissMaryMac33

Stop.

Google it, do a little research, watch the news.... blahblah....


Drinking a glass of water before you eat would have the same effect,
So would a big cup of coffee or a protein shake and they'd both be healthier for you.

audram420

You lost 18lbs in 21 days using this incredibly dangerous method of weight loss. Cool story bro. I lost 18lbs in just under 2 months...and guess what I'm EATING....about 1600 cals a day. Who's lost more muscle and who's healthier between us? I'll let whoever reads this decide.

OOOHhhh, let me guess!!! HCG fanatic=losing muscle as we speak, YOU=healthier and happier because your not starving!! Did i win??

leslielt

Hey yall, im on day two of the very low calorie diet (vlcd) along with taking the hcg fusion drops. I have been STARVING the past two days and i am aware that 500 calories is not going to fill me up but I have lost 2.5 lbs already which is pretty motivating. I just need to know if these hunger pangs will go away. or if im just going to keep starving to death haha!

My advice...quit! But you've heard that one. Check out these links

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss

http://blogs.webmd.com/pamela-peeke-md/2010/12/diet-scam-101-the-hcg-con.html

ninerbuff

Are you seriously trying to mathmatically account for weight loss using only calories?

Yes because if your claim is that it's NOT water weight, then the weight loss had to come from tissue.

And comparing my body with that of an athlete who has hardly any fat to spare? Wow. Don't know if I should thank you or not.

Don't get excited here........I wasn't comparing bodies but caloric usage. If you actually think you burn more calories a day than a Pro athlete, you probably wouldn't have a weight issue.

But - actually, it's the 21st century.

And you're using a diet from 1954. What does this have to do with it?

I think if you check into it you will find that cutting carbs actually initiates fat burning above and beyond the simple calorie in/out equation.

I don't disagree. Atkins diet does that. Being a bodybuilder, high protein diets have been used since the 1950's for competition. But HCG isn't needed to do this.

And, FYI - I'm not saying the drops are the cause of my weight-loss, nor am I saying they cut my appetite - it probably IS all in my head. But, I'm on the right track - don't need as much medication anymore and am feeling great.

Whether or not you believe it's smart or not, to deprive the body of nutrients and exercise through the correct amount of food intake will have a physical impact on your body if sustained for a long enough period of time. It's irresponsible of you to endorse a product that has no peer reviewed clinical studies to back them up. If you saw a teenager that was desperate to lose 10lbs because she wants to be "in" with the girls, would you recommend HCG to her? And if not, then why?

ninerbuff

Don't be throwing around your "esteemed scientific journal" mumbo jumbo! My brother's wife's next door neighbor's mailmen's tire guy's wife totally lost 325 pounds in two weeks on it. Just read "Pounds and Inches" then you'll learn how totally freaking rad HCG is!

:drinker:

But not more than my mailman's sister's lover's mother in law! She lost 100lbs in 10 days!!!! She's balding and walking a in a trance, but hey who gives a hoot if you lost a hundred pounds?

FairyMiss

Just the idea that someone would purposely eat so few calories that it is recomended NOT to exert yourself. and think this is healthy???? where is the common sense people.... not to mention the injection of hormones at a time, or in a body the don't belong. don't even get me started. I supposed the drops off the internet are probably 'safer' in that respect over the real thing at the docs office

buckaroos30

I was on this diet for about 4 weeks, stuck with the whole program and I did feel hungry, after about two weeks it was easier, I bought a second bottle at GNC a different brand than the first bottle and it worked much better curbing the hunger pains. I just drank more water when they came on. I did lose 14 lbs. I am still using the drops but am eating more than 500 calories , closer to 900 and eating different foods that aren't on their diet. I have lost 3 more lbs. I can say that it taught me portion control that I didn't have before I started using it. just don't go back to eating your old way and it may be the kick start you need. it was for me.

lilsunshinecc

IM on a similar diet minus the hcg shot with a b12 shot and amino acid pill and strong prescribed multi! 500 cals seems to fill me right up... my diary is public if u wanna take a look... i cheated some days though lol

FairyMiss

IM on a similar diet minus the hcg shot with a b12 shot and amino acid pill and strong prescribed multi! 500 cals seems to fill me right up... my diary is public if u wanna take a look... i cheated some days though lol

um no its not

killagb

so yes its dangerous and it works so i would keep on going ur doing great

He said it himself...:noway:

Tyler477

the 2 people advocating this diet are probably people with websites selling the crap.... look the 2nd guy gave his email, I'm sure he will end up sending a letter back with a sales pitch.


PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP! the internet is filled with scams and 80% are geared towards people trying to lose weight.


I saw the Dr OZ episode and he didn't really talk HCG down much I don't like that guy he should have bashed the hell out of it.

rosboss

My advice is to give it up, its a scam.

This. The 2.5lbs you've lost is probably water weight.

Once you start actually eating again, you will gain it all back. At 500 calories, you are starving yourself.

You can gain all the weight back no matter how you lose the weight. I"ve lost over 80 lbs eating healthy and exercising only to gain all of it and then some.

Now that I've been on the HCG diet...even when I've gone off of it I haven't gained any weight back. I even went on a cruise and gained nothing...and I ate and drank. The difference isn't how I'm losing the weight, but my attitude and life changes. I'm eating the most healthy meat and all kinds of veggies.

I'm learning portion control and more importantly what works for my body and what doesn't. I know how different meats and especially sugar affects me - it's immediate. Plus, the inches that have come off...I've lost 50 inches since I started in February and that's even with the phase of cheating that I went through (and side note: even with the cheating, I didn't gain any weight). I don't have the sagging fat...it is like I'm losing the fat. Most importantly I'm learning so much about my body.

juaanvarona

well not exactly damgerous like oh ur gonna die!!! no just low calorie
but theres the 800 calorie protocal which works better

rosboss

Don't do it. The last time they found HGC in my body a tiny person forced his way out of my vagina...It hurt really bad and now he won't leave me alone and keeps calling me mommy all the time.

This is a great post! LOL!

ninerbuff

Now that I've been on the HCG diet...even when I've gone off of it I haven't gained any weight back. I even went on a cruise and gained nothing...and I ate and drank. The difference isn't how I'm losing the weight, but my attitude and life changes. I'm eating the most healthy meat and all kinds of veggies.

You don't need HCG to figure that out which is why people that tout it somehow miraculously and all of a sudden became aware that they ate bad before. Amazing.

janetb21

I'm on my 4th round of the hcg drops now. I'm down 68 lbs since January 10. Even if the drops don't do anything and I'm experiencing a placebo affect, I do not care - it's working for me.

In between rounds of the drops I use MFP to count calories - I do the maintenance calories and then switch over to 1200 calories a day.

rosboss

Now that I've been on the HCG diet...even when I've gone off of it I haven't gained any weight back. I even went on a cruise and gained nothing...and I ate and drank. The difference isn't how I'm losing the weight, but my attitude and life changes. I'm eating the most healthy meat and all kinds of veggies.

You don't need HCG to figure that out which is why people that tout it somehow miraculously and all of a sudden became aware that they ate bad before. Amazing.

I actually didn't eat that bad before. I wasn't eating cakes and cookies...but I wasn't getting the right portions of food. Also, I was working with a dietitican, writing down my foods and eating exactly what she adviced and wasn't losing the weight. It just wasn't working anymore for my body and I needed something else. I'm not suggesting HCG is for anyone or everyone...it just is working for me and seeing the fast results keeps me motivated. It isn't like I didn't try everything else. I've done Jenny Craig, working with countless doctors and nutritionists...it just stopped working. Stop judging people thinking that we're trying to find the easy way out for this mess we have created. I know this is my mess...and I've been working hard for the past 15 years to take it off. So, don't think this was the first thing I tried.

craftzilla

Don't do it. The last time they found HGC in my body a tiny person forced his way out of my vagina...It hurt really bad and now he won't leave me alone and keeps calling me mommy all the time.

This is a great post! LOL!

Amen, a great post! I had a strikingly similar experience

_Ben

Whatever you do, just try to remain healthy. An important thing to remember with any low calorie/low carb for that matter diet, is with the upcoming months, your immune system is weakened, and you are more proned to disease and infection. I suggest if you do plan on continuing, make sure to wash and sterilize your hands, and possibly look into getting some immunizations done

koosdel

I'm on my 4th round of the hcg drops now. I'm down 68 lbs since January 10. Even if the drops don't do anything and I'm experiencing a placebo affect, I do not care - it's working for me.

In between rounds of the drops I use MFP to count calories - I do the maintenance calories and then switch over to 1200 calories a day.

Seriously, 'working' to do what?

Make you stronger? No.
Make you healthier? No.
Make you happier? Maybe, but a lot of drugs make people happy..
Make you thinner? Sure, parasites and chainsaw wounds will do that too.

Don't say "Works for me." when you don't can't even acknowledge what is happening.

amsky

I love it. Lost 18 pounds in 21 days. I transition off of it this weekend and begin a low carb Adkins diet for three weeks according to plan. Then, I reintroduce foods slowly and monitor my weight to see what affects it in a positive and negative way. The diet is only 21 to 45 days long. Here is some advice:

Don't get flustered with people who say it doesn't work and you don't need the drops. Even if the drops DON'T work, and it is all in your head (totally psychosomatic in nature), you are losing weight on a short term diet so keep it up. Don't worry about the pregnant lady pee comments - Homeopathic versions don't have that, but will still turn the pregnancy stick positive. Don't listen to the people who say it is only water weight. If you are following the plan and drinking more than a gallon of water a day, I don't see how it can be water weight. Don't worry about the people who say you are starving yourself, if you are obese (and not just a tad overweight) you have plenty of stored energy in your body. People fast all of the time with absolutely no caloric intake for a week or more and have no ill effects. However, people are different, so if you feel "bad" on the plan then stop. Of the five people I know who did HCG, none of them had any problems - and they have not regained the weight. Don't get upset about the people who say you should just reduce calories. If this is the starting point of your weight loss journey - then start. Some people need to see those immediate positive results first before they can commit to changing their eating style for life. Don't feel bad about those people who say you are losing muscle. Even if you lose 20 pounds and 10% of that is muscle - you still lost 18 pounds of FAT! That is awesome. You can regain that muscle once you start exercising.

Remember this: follow ALL of the diet - you have to eat all of your meals. A different lean meat for each meal, a different green veggie for each meal, a different low cal/carb fruit for each meal, and only one low carb bread a day. NO EXERCISE AT ALL on this diet.

Here are some positives: when you finish your 21 days (or whatever), your stomach will not need as much food to be full. I am shocked at feeling full so easily now. If you have high blood pressure and are on meds, like me, it may have decreased - so get it checked. You will understand portion control - I have never measured so much food in my life. You will understand how some foods affect you (I now know that red meat slows down my weight loss considerably and I will not consume as much anymore). And you will get used to drinking water - all the time. It has now become a habit, and it was always something that I never really did enough of before. Use those tools as you migrate out of this radical-short term diet plan and into a more healthy lifestyle of eating and exercise.

Good luck!

Well said!!!

This diet gave me back MY life!!!!

I have lost over 70 lbs using the HCG diet and have maintained that loss!!!

As with ANY plan IF you revert to your previous unhealthy eating you WILL GAIN WEIGHT!!

I went from 211 lbs to 140 lbs in 10 months ...From a sixe 20 to a size 6 ...From OBESE BMI to a HEALTHY BMI.

There is NO need to bash fellow MFP members for THEIR choices and if you disagree there is a NICE human and decent way to voice a discenting opinion.

That's my 2 cents.

koosdel

I love it. Lost 18 pounds in 21 days. I transition off of it this weekend and begin a low carb Adkins diet for three weeks according to plan. Then, I reintroduce foods slowly and monitor my weight to see what affects it in a positive and negative way. The diet is only 21 to 45 days long. Here is some advice:

Don't get flustered with people who say it doesn't work and you don't need the drops. Even if the drops DON'T work, and it is all in your head (totally psychosomatic in nature), you are losing weight on a short term diet so keep it up. Don't worry about the pregnant lady pee comments - Homeopathic versions don't have that, but will still turn the pregnancy stick positive. Don't listen to the people who say it is only water weight. If you are following the plan and drinking more than a gallon of water a day, I don't see how it can be water weight. Don't worry about the people who say you are starving yourself, if you are obese (and not just a tad overweight) you have plenty of stored energy in your body. People fast all of the time with absolutely no caloric intake for a week or more and have no ill effects. However, people are different, so if you feel "bad" on the plan then stop. Of the five people I know who did HCG, none of them had any problems - and they have not regained the weight. Don't get upset about the people who say you should just reduce calories. If this is the starting point of your weight loss journey - then start. Some people need to see those immediate positive results first before they can commit to changing their eating style for life. Don't feel bad about those people who say you are losing muscle. Even if you lose 20 pounds and 10% of that is muscle - you still lost 18 pounds of FAT! That is awesome. You can regain that muscle once you start exercising.

Remember this: follow ALL of the diet - you have to eat all of your meals. A different lean meat for each meal, a different green veggie for each meal, a different low cal/carb fruit for each meal, and only one low carb bread a day. NO EXERCISE AT ALL on this diet.

Here are some positives: when you finish your 21 days (or whatever), your stomach will not need as much food to be full. I am shocked at feeling full so easily now. If you have high blood pressure and are on meds, like me, it may have decreased - so get it checked. You will understand portion control - I have never measured so much food in my life. You will understand how some foods affect you (I now know that red meat slows down my weight loss considerably and I will not consume as much anymore). And you will get used to drinking water - all the time. It has now become a habit, and it was always something that I never really did enough of before. Use those tools as you migrate out of this radical-short term diet plan and into a more healthy lifestyle of eating and exercise.

Good luck!

Well said!!!

This diet gave me back MY life!!!!

I have lost over 70 lbs using the HCG diet and have maintained that loss!!!

As with ANY plan IF you revert to your previous unhealthy eating you WILL GAIN WEIGHT!!

I went from 211 lbs to 140 lbs in 10 months ...From a sixe 20 to a size 6 ...From OBESE BMI to a HEALTHY BMI.

There is NO need to bash fellow MFP members for THEIR choices and if you disagree there is a NICE human and decent way to voice a discenting opinion.

That's my 2 cents.

I don't have a problem with someone shooting up HCG, if they have researched extreme diets and has decided its worth the sacrifice. I do have a problem with users pushing it . The kid above is the perfect example of why you should keep your drug use off the boards.

amsky

I love it. Lost 18 pounds in 21 days. I transition off of it this weekend and begin a low carb Adkins diet for three weeks according to plan. Then, I reintroduce foods slowly and monitor my weight to see what affects it in a positive and negative way. The diet is only 21 to 45 days long. Here is some advice:

Don't get flustered with people who say it doesn't work and you don't need the drops. Even if the drops DON'T work, and it is all in your head (totally psychosomatic in nature), you are losing weight on a short term diet so keep it up. Don't worry about the pregnant lady pee comments - Homeopathic versions don't have that, but will still turn the pregnancy stick positive. Don't listen to the people who say it is only water weight. If you are following the plan and drinking more than a gallon of water a day, I don't see how it can be water weight. Don't worry about the people who say you are starving yourself, if you are obese (and not just a tad overweight) you have plenty of stored energy in your body. People fast all of the time with absolutely no caloric intake for a week or more and have no ill effects. However, people are different, so if you feel "bad" on the plan then stop. Of the five people I know who did HCG, none of them had any problems - and they have not regained the weight. Don't get upset about the people who say you should just reduce calories. If this is the starting point of your weight loss journey - then start. Some people need to see those immediate positive results first before they can commit to changing their eating style for life. Don't feel bad about those people who say you are losing muscle. Even if you lose 20 pounds and 10% of that is muscle - you still lost 18 pounds of FAT! That is awesome. You can regain that muscle once you start exercising.

Remember this: follow ALL of the diet - you have to eat all of your meals. A different lean meat for each meal, a different green veggie for each meal, a different low cal/carb fruit for each meal, and only one low carb bread a day. NO EXERCISE AT ALL on this diet.

Here are some positives: when you finish your 21 days (or whatever), your stomach will not need as much food to be full. I am shocked at feeling full so easily now. If you have high blood pressure and are on meds, like me, it may have decreased - so get it checked. You will understand portion control - I have never measured so much food in my life. You will understand how some foods affect you (I now know that red meat slows down my weight loss considerably and I will not consume as much anymore). And you will get used to drinking water - all the time. It has now become a habit, and it was always something that I never really did enough of before. Use those tools as you migrate out of this radical-short term diet plan and into a more healthy lifestyle of eating and exercise.

Good luck!

Well said!!!

This diet gave me back MY life!!!!

I have lost over 70 lbs using the HCG diet and have maintained that loss!!!

As with ANY plan IF you revert to your previous unhealthy eating you WILL GAIN WEIGHT!!

I went from 211 lbs to 140 lbs in 10 months ...From a sixe 20 to a size 6 ...From OBESE BMI to a HEALTHY BMI.

There is NO need to bash fellow MFP members for THEIR choices and if you disagree there is a NICE human and decent way to voice a discenting opinion.

That's my 2 cents.

I don't have a problem with someone shooting up HCG, if they have researched extreme diets and has decided its worth the sacrifice. I do have a problem with users pushing it . The kid above is the perfect example of why you should keep your drug use off the boards.

I don't use drugs ...Nice assumption to draw.

I *used* homeopathic HCG WITH GREAT LONG TERM SUCCESS. Thank you very much :-)

Agate69

Ingested HCG has no effect. Stomach acid changes HCG to components that are excreted by the kidneys. The low calorie diet is the cause of the weight loss, and is difficult to sustain long term but not impossible. Water, lean protein, measured carbs, good fats, and green vegies are my diet choices.
How ever, I am a firm believer in doing what ever it takes to get you motivated..... and sometimes it take a drastic step and postive results to keep the motivation.

meerkat70

"I went from 211 lbs to 140 lbs in 10 months ...From a sixe 20 to a size 6 ...From OBESE BMI to a HEALTHY BMI. "

But you could have achieved that kind of loss on a normal diet that didn't place your health at serious risk.... ? Why would you want to do it by essentially starving yourself?

Greenwellj

I have found that it is all in the proper nutrition but also cleansing. You must cleanse the toxins out of your body so it will release the fat. It is the missing link. It has helped me get half way to my goal!

MrsM1ggins

I *used* homeopathic HCG WITH GREAT LONG TERM SUCCESS. Thank you very much :-)

What is 'homeopathic' HCG? Water that remembers when a pregnant woman peed in it?