Anybody have a rough time with the hcg diet?

Flora_k
Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi. I am just looking for support. I started the hcg diet with friends but since I started having complications, they've disappeared. I am not doing the diet now and am just wondering if anybody else has been through this. I started gaining the weight back but am now just really working on journaling and eating healthy. I'm losing weight again.

Thank you in advance for any support. The hcg crowd can be a little rough when you are no longer doing the diet.

Replies

  • Health_Gal
    Health_Gal Posts: 715 Member
    First of all, congratulations on getting off the HCG diet!

    It is a dangerous scam that the FDA, as well as many doctors and other medical experts, have been trying to warn the public about. Unfortunately, many people that buy into the HCG diet scam become "true believers" that are not willing to read any of the scientific evidence that concludes the HCG diet is a dangerous fraud.

    I know several people that did the HCG diet, and every one of them now weighs more than they did before they started.

    This is a link to a good article about the HCG diet and why it is so dangerous:

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    I really appreciate your reply. I didn't find many people who had done that diet for very long. It does not seem sustainable. I noticed that the weight starting coming back quickly too. I didn't like that a bit.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    First of all, congratulations on getting off the HCG diet!

    It is a dangerous scam that the FDA, as well as many doctors and other medical experts, have been trying to warn the public about. Unfortunately, many people that buy into the HCG diet scam become "true believers" that are not willing to read any of the scientific evidence that concludes the HCG diet is a dangerous fraud.

    I know several people that did the HCG diet, and every one of them now weighs more than they did before they started.

    This is a link to a good article about the HCG diet and why it is so dangerous:

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

    QFT Moderate deficit, moving more will be slower but better long term
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    Congrats on deciding to do this journey the REAL way :) Your body will thank you in the long run. Feel free to add me if you need encouragment and/or motivation.
  • coopieclan
    coopieclan Posts: 20 Member
    just curious, what were the complications?
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    I was having breaththrough bleeding with my cycle and then my next period came early. It was so bad, I was filling a pad hourly. I just thought I was going to pass out. It was scary. I was having problems with my heart racing while on the drops. Since stopping, it's not as bad but have had a few episodes. And, last but not least, when I went in for the EKG they found a lump in my breast that was definitely not there a couple months ago. Just the fact that they weren't even doing a breast exam and found it tells you that it is pretty large. Felt it the next day in the shower and it really startled me. Once I know more about that, I'll update.

    I don't know if links are allowed here but I just shared my story online. The pro-hCG forums delete stories like mine so I really wanted to get it out there. My doctor said this was an important message because they've seen serious complications from this diet. I'll try posting the link but if it doesn't show, then that likely means it is not allowed. That's okay. It just helps talking to others who have been through this! http://www.squidoo.com/unsafe_hcg_diet
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    Oh wanted to add, during my last appointment they told me I really need to up my calories right now. After I had such trouble with the drops, and went off, I was gaining again and gained half the weight back. I started doing the diet without the drops but upped it to 1200 and was losing just as quickly. They told me normally, 1200 wouldn't be a big deal but this has taken such a toll on my body, they want me eating 1500 to 1600 a day and so I am.
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    STOP "DIETING"!!!!!!!!!!!!

    :) 1600 calories a day really doesn't feel much like dieting to me. I'm having some heart problems as a result of the hCG thing so exercise is a no go right now until I get the all clear. I'm eating healthy. I'm avoiding sugar. I'm journaling. Honestly, this doesn't sound bad to me at all. The hCG thing? Well, that was just me being really stupid. I fully admit it :)
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    1...
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    "Anybody"???

    No, from what I've read, more like "everybody".

    Glad to hear that you're no longer on that horrible "diet" and taking a more sensible approach. Good luck. :flowerforyou:
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Kudos to you for giving that up! You'll make lasting changes and your friends will likely gain it all back and then some. Good luck to you! Keep on doing what you are doing and you will succeed. Restriction sucks!
  • binknbaby
    binknbaby Posts: 207 Member
    HCG is only for pregnancy. Why ANYONE thought it was a good idea to give a pregnancy-specific hormone to non-pregnant people is beyond me. It's dangerous and can have long-term side effects.

    Good job leaving that "diet". I hope you find some support here of people who have been in your shoes. In the mean time, I'd just focus on eating well (lots of protein, healthy fats, veggies, minimal carbs) and being active.
  • cindiva65
    cindiva65 Posts: 335 Member
    I did that back in 2010. I lost 53 lbs in 6 months and a year later gained it all back plus 3 more. I believe a lifestyle change to healthy eating and exercise is the key to long lasting results.
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    Thanks everybody! I actually started this with a friend and when I started having side effects, she told me we couldn't be friends anymore because she didn't like that I was telling people about my side effects. She got pressured into being a distributor though. They tried to push both of us into it after only a week on the diet. I declined and she went for it. I don't know much about the injections. We did the drops and they are just a big scam...harmful too!
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    Cindiva, I'm all about the lifestyle change now too. I've learned my lesson. Honestly, I'd rather be overweight than go through what I went through with those drops! Taking it slow for now!
  • Flora_k
    Flora_k Posts: 72 Member
    Well, found out that because I had such heavy bleeding during my cycle (scary amount) resulting from the very low calorie diet of this, it depleted my ferritin. Because anemia is a struggle for me, I was just checked around the time I started this diet and my levels were good. This is a huge drop and unlike anything we've ever seen before. Sort of had a feeling because I've been trying to exercise and just have had no energy. Once we get my levels up again, I really want to continue that 30-day Shred.

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